Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, seven months after being stripped of his royal titles by his brother King Charles, is reportedly refusing to accept his reduced status and has made a furious demand to his remaining staff. According to royal sources, the former prince insists that his three employees continue to address him using his birthright titles, including 'Sir' and 'The Duke', despite the official revocation.
Andrew's Defiant Speech to Staff
Sources claim that Andrew gave a jaw-dropping speech to his staff, declaring that he will 'damn well' continue to be called by his 'correct titles' in his own home—until they 'send a vampire to suck out every drop of royal blood in my veins'. This outburst comes as he lives in a modest five-bedroom cottage, Marsh Farm in Norfolk, a far cry from the 30-room Royal Lodge he previously occupied.
Royal Author Weighs In
Royal author and historian Andrew Lownie, who spent years researching the inner world of the Yorks, believes the former prince's behaviour may be encouraged by his Middle Eastern business associates. Speaking to the Mirror, Lownie said: 'He's doing that to big himself up in front of the Middle Eastern guys, who are saying, "Don't be such a wimp. You're a prince and nothing can take that away from you."' Lownie added that Andrew 'has no sense of his own status except through this, but I think that it's the Middle Eastern rulers who stiffen the sinews a bit.'
Ongoing Entitlement and Past Behaviour
Far from being humbled by his reduced situation, the former duke reportedly retains an extraordinary level of entitlement. After being booted out of Royal Lodge, he lost the majority of his staff and was said to have been insulted when the King offered him use of a Sandringham cleaner, groundsman and cook on an ad hoc basis. A source said at the time: 'It hasn't gone down well.'
In Lownie's explosive biography Entitled, a source is quoted as saying: 'Remember, the most difficult thing for the Duke of York was not the allegations of sexual misconduct. It was being stripped of his royal titles and losing his key role with the Royal Family. He's never gotten over this.' Andrew was also appalled that 'poky' Marsh Farm only has five bedrooms, compared to Royal Lodge's seven. 'He really didn't want Marsh Farm,' a source told the Mail. 'He won't have lived anywhere that small since he left his apartment at Buckingham Palace.'
History of Bizarre Requests and Bullying
Many of Andrew's former staff were likely happy to move on. For years, he has been dogged by rumours of arrogance and entitlement, with allegations of bullying and humiliating staff. He is also alleged to have made bizarre requests, reportedly 'screaming and shouting' if they were not followed through. In his biography, Lownie quotes one former equerry for the Queen Mother describing Andrew as a 'rude, ignorant sod'. The book also claims that Andrew insisted maids climb four floors of stairs just to open his curtains for him in the morning—while he lay right beside them. A source is quoted as saying: 'His bedtime habits as a single man left a lot to be desired, and a collection of scrunched-up, soiled tissues usually lay scattered around the bed each morning for staff to collect after they had made his bed.'
Recent Lavish Trip to France
Despite his diminished circumstances, Andrew reportedly enjoyed an all-expenses-paid trip to France in late May, courtesy of billionaire horse breeding tycoon Mohammed A Baker. He travelled by private jet from Norwich International to Dinard Airport, spending three days at a remote stud farm near St Malo. During the 'relaxing' trip, he rode horses on a French beach, played boules in an historic courtyard, and was lavishly entertained with meals prepared by a private chef.
