Prince Andrew has decided that he wants to duke it out (pun intended) in court with Virginia Giuffre Roberts, who has brought a civil case alleging that the prince sexually assaulted her when she was 17. In an 11-page filing, the Duke of York demanded a trial by jury, which is said to have annoyed Princes Charles and William, who would prefer that the Queen’s second son settle and disappear before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

According to the filing, Andrew wants the “court to consider” the issue of consent.

The document states: “Assuming, without admitting, that Guiffre has suffered any injury or damage alleged in the complaint, Giuffre’s claims are barred by the doctrine of consent.”

The Duke of York also admits that he met Jeffery Epstein, the now infamous convicted pedophile with many high-profile connections, in 1999, though he still denies that he met or had a sexual relationship with Roberts. There is picture evidence that the two met, but what went on beyond that is only known to Roberts, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s madam.

As part of his 11 point defense, Andrew also argues that Roberts participated in the recruitment of young women into Epstein’s web, which he believes should taint any testimony that she would give and, per the Duke, should bar her from obtaining any financial settlement.

Even if she is telling the truth.

A source close to the Duke said, “This is a marathon, not a spring, and the duke will continue to defend himself against these claims.”

The rest of the royal family isn’t so sure. In fact, most are hoping that Andrew would just figure out how to settle with Roberts to avoid any further embarrassment to the Queen and the monarchy.

A full blown trial would be extremely uncomfortable for the royal family and show one of their most prickly members at his very worst.

Already, stories are coming out about Andrew’s rather divaish behavior as a member of the royal family, including his obsession with a collection of 72 teddy bears. (No, that’s not a typo.)

The former royal maid told The Sun, “As soon as I got the job, I was told about the teddies and it was drilled into me how he wanted them. I even had a day’s training. Everything had to be just right. It was so peculiar.”

For a grown man, absolutely. But it’s all the worst that the Duke of York would yell at people who didn’t get the order just right.

It’s this type of ostentatious and abusive behavior that puts royals in an utterly negative light, and not something the Queen, Prince Charles or Prince William need in the year of the Platinum Jubilee and Prince Harry’s forthcoming memoir.

If the whole thing would just go away, that would be preferable, and hopefully Andrew is still working behind the scenes to put the whole thing to bed.

He should have no delusions about reintegrating into the working royal fold. The ship has sailed and it’s never coming back. His image, actions and lack of judgement are so horrifically bad, that it’s impossible for him to regain any semblance of support. If he’s smart, he’ll take his licks, slink back to the Royal Lodge, remarry Fergie and spend the remainder of his days riding horses and collecting more teddies.

Royals can only stay in power through the will of the people, and problematic elements like Prince Andrew should be dealt with swiftly.