The ex-Duke of York is described by one royal source as ‘arrogant’ and according to an explosive royal book, he would make bizarre demands of staff
For years, Prince Andrew has been dogged by rumours about his problematic behaviour inside Palace walls.
The ex-Duke of York has been described by some sources as “arrogant” and “entitled”, with one royal author citing accusations of bullying and “humiliating” staff. Andrew is also said to have made bizarre requests of royal employees, and would allegedly ‘scream and shout’ if they were not followed through.
His behaviour came under fresh scrutiny in Andrew Lownie’s explosive biography on Andrew and Fergie – Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, released earlier this year. According to the biographer, the prince allegedly calling one royal aide a “f*****g imbecile” after he used the wrong title for the Queen Mother.
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Andrew is said to have been very particular about the proper mode of address, and would insist everyone bowed to him when he came into a room. Lownie If they failed to do so, he would apparently say, “Let’s try that again” – leaving the room and re-entering.
The book claims that the royal also have had one aide removed from his role because he didn’t like the appearance of a mole on the man’s face, and another for “wearing a nylon tie”.
Lownie writes that Andrew reduced staff to tears, and “after Meghan Markle was accused of bullying staff, Buckingham Palace braced itself for historic complaints about the duke’s bullying, profanities and impossible demands”.
One source told the biographer that Andrew’s attitude was that his staff were “there to serve and not to question his actions” and that his extravagant demands included insisting that maids climb four floors of stairs just to open his curtains for him in the morning – whilst he lay right beside them.
On one occasion, the prince is said to have brought a television technical worker to his royal home in the middle of the night, insisting the technician explain how the remote worked. He is also alleged to have used his highly trained police protection officers to collect his used golf balls.
It comes as a friend of Andrew’s ex Sarah Ferguson has revealed that she is on the cusp of a ‘nervous breakdown’ as her ‘distressed’ daughters are dragged into the scandal erupting over her assosciation with Jeffrey Epstein.
Then last week, Prince Andrew made a shock statement announcing that he would be giving up the use of his royal titles and honours for good – as would Sarah – after he had a 10-minute phone call with his “weary and furious” older brother, King Charles. He denies all allegations made against him.
And now a royal expert who has spoken to one of Sarah’s friends has since claimed that amid the ongoing turmoil, Sarah is on the verge of having a “nervous breakdown”.
Phil Dampier claimed: “I’m told she has been on the edge of a nervous breakdown,” adding, “I can reveal her older sister Jane has recently flown over from Australia to comfort her in the UK.”
Speaking to Woman’s Day, the expert added: “Sarah is in a bad way and it’s hardly surprising. She needed support and Jane has been there for her when she needed it. She and Andrew know they are to blame but they still feel they are now being kicked mercilessly when they are down. It’s difficult to see what the future holds.”