Royals’ year of scandal – Kate’s security ‘breach,’ Christmas party brawl and horror raid

The past 12 months have certainly been tumultuous for the Royal Family, especially when it comes to health battles. But there has also been a fair share of other drama, from a break-in at Windsor to new Prince Andrew exposés

The Royal Family has certainly had a challenging year, especially when it comes to health.

In 2024, both King Charles and the Princess of Wales have had cancer diagnoses and embarked on treatment, while Queen Camilla and Princess Anne also have issues to contend with. But health aside, there have also been other major dramas connected to the Royal Family, that have added to a tumultuous 12 months…

Kate’s medical records

For the Princess of Wales, 2024 has certainly been a roller coaster year. Firstly, back in January, it was announced she had undergone abdominal surgery and would be taking time out of the public eye.

Kate had the procedure at the London Clinic, where she stayed for two weeks before returning home to Windsor to recover. As she spent time at home after the surgery, cruel conspiracy theories began to circulate online. And then the Mirror exclusively revealed that the hospital where Kate was treated launched an investigation over claims staff attempted to access her private medical records.

The probe came after claims Kate’s confidentiality was breached while she was a patient in The London Clinic in January. At least one member of staff was said to have been caught trying to access the 42-year-old’s notes. The allegations sent shockwaves through the hospital in ­Marylebone, Central London, which has a reputation for discreetly treating the royal family, former presidents, PMs and celebrities.

The London Clinic said at the time: “We firmly believe that all our patients, no matter their status, deserve total privacy and confidentiality regarding their medical information.” Just days after the breach emerged, Kate shocked the world when she revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer and was embarking on preventative chemotherapy treatment. That treatment ended in the summer and she is now very gradually returning to royal duties.

Windsor break-in

Another drama the royals had to contend with was a terrifying security scare at Windsor Castle. Two men are said to have scaled a six-foot fence during the night to steal farm vehicles. The men are said to have driven off in a pick-up truck and on a quad bike that had been stored in a barn, close to the home of William and Kate.

The men targeted Shaw Farm, which is a working farm inside the Castle’s security zone. A source said the men would have known the vehicles were stored in the barn before breaking in, and would have known the best time to get in and out in order to escape detection.

They added: “There are alarms at Windsor Castle but the first time anyone knew there was a break-in was when they crashed through the security barrier at Shaw Farm Gate exit. The barrier has needed to be replaced as it was so badly damaged. “It was a Sunday night on a school week so the young princes and princess would have been tucked [up] in bed at Adelaide Cottage, just around the corner but still in the grounds.” An investigation is still ongoing.

Duchy investigation

In November, an investigation revealed that the two royal Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster, owned by Willam and the King, earn millions of pounds in rent from the taxpayer.

Details of how the two most senior members of the Royal Family make £50m a year from their inherited estates were revealed for the first time. And it showed how prisons, schools and even an ambulance warehouse were all paying rent to the estates.

Campaigner Guy Shrubsole, author of Who Owns England, said: “I think this asks quite searching questions about how they are making their profits. Why are there not peppercorn rents or social rents being charged for the NHS for example?”

In response, a Duchy of Cornwall spokesperson it was “a private estate with a commercial imperative”. The Duchy of Lancaster said it “operates as a commercial company” and that “while His Majesty The King takes a close interest in the work of the Duchy, the day-to-day management of the portfolio is the responsibility of the Council and executive team”.

Andrew dramas

It was more than five years ago that Prince Andrew sat down for his infamous Newsnight interview that triggered his downfall from public life.

And this year, there have been two dramas focusing on the car crash chat, putting it and the disgraced Duke of York back in the spotlight. In the first drama, called Scoop, which hit Netflix, showed how BBC Newsnight managed to secure the interview, while a second told the story through the eyes of interviewer Emily Maitlis.

Both shows had less than flattering portrayals of Andrew and re-highlighted some of the claims made in the interview and how the Duke failed to say he regretted his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Christmas party arrest

Meanwhile, one of the latest dramas to emerge concerned a Buckingham Palace worker who was arrested after a staff Christmas party spiralled “out of control” and a brawl broke out.

Police were called to All Bar One in Victoria Street, London, after 9pm on Tuesday, according to reports. It is alleged that a worker, believed to be a housemaid, aimed a punch at the manager and smashed glasses. The Sun reported that a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the event was an informal social gathering and not an official Palace Christmas party, but an investigation will be launched.