Andrew's Brazen Demands During House Move Exposed
The disgraced former Prince Andrew appears to be finally settling into his new home at Marsh Farm on the Sandringham estate, following his exile to Norfolk. However, the transition has been marked by extraordinary displays of entitlement and demanding behaviour that have left staff frazzled and observers outraged.
The Royal Move and Artwork Transport
On Tuesday, three large removal vans from Gander & White, a company specialising in fine art transport with a royal warrant, were photographed arriving at Marsh Farm. While the exact contents remain unclear, it's known that Andrew's former 30-room home at Royal Lodge contained numerous valuable pieces from the Royal Collection Trust, alongside private acquisitions from his grandmother, the Queen Mother.
According to the Times, pieces from the Royal Collection Trust were supposed to be returned after Andrew was stripped of his titles. These included significant works like a 19th century oil painting titled Eugenie, Empress of the French and wife of Napoleon III by Charles Édouard Boutibonne. Nevertheless, Andrew appears to have transported substantial artwork to his new, considerably smaller residence.
Teddy Bear Drama and Staff Training
Among Andrew's most prized possessions is his extensive teddy bear collection, which former staff member Charlotte Briggs revealed numbered 72 bears. These required meticulous arrangement, lined up in size order and positioned precisely on his bed.
"As soon as I got the job, I was told about the teddies, and it was drilled into me how he wanted them," Briggs told the Sun. "I even had a day's training. Everything had to be just right. It was so peculiar."
While most bears have been stored in a south London warehouse with 24-hour security, Andrew reportedly retained a single cuddly monkey during the move.
Outrage Over Downsizing and Staff Demands
Andrew has expressed dissatisfaction with his new circumstances, particularly regarding Marsh Farm's five bedrooms compared to Royal Lodge's seven bedrooms within its 30-room mansion. "He really didn't want Marsh Farm," an insider told the Mail. "He won't have lived anywhere that small since he left his apartment at Buckingham Palace."
Compounding the downsizing challenge was the accumulation of possessions from two decades of living at Royal Lodge with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, plus numerous unopened Amazon deliveries that had piled up before their eviction.
Despite reduced circumstances, Andrew reportedly continues to demand royal treatment from staff. According to Rob Shuter's #ShuterScoop, Andrew insists staff at his home address him as "Your Royal Highness" and perform bows or curtsies, despite having lost his royal titles. A household insider revealed: "The butler still says Your Royal Highness, and the staff still bow. Andrew's made it clear — palace rules don't apply inside his walls. He insists it's his birthright — not something the King can erase."
Bizarre Requests and Staff Mistreatment
Andrew Lownie's book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, details numerous instances of Andrew's demanding behaviour. Staff were instructed to bow whenever he entered a room, and if anyone forgot, Andrew would allegedly say, "Let's try that again," before leaving and re-entering.
According to Lownie, Andrew viewed staff as "there to serve and not to question his actions" and would reportedly 'scream and shout' if his requests weren't followed. Former equerry Colin Burgess recalled Andrew treating staff "as an officer talks to his subordinates," frequently using the catchphrase "Do it!"
Other alleged demands include:
- Maids climbing four floors to open curtains while Andrew lay in bed
- Staff collecting scrunched-up, soiled tissues scattered around his bed each morning
- Summoning a television technician in the middle of the night to explain remote controls
- Banishing a staff member because he "couldn't bear" to look at a mole on his face
- Arranging to remove another staff member for wearing a nylon tie
Staff Perspectives and Character Assessment
Former servants describe Andrew as "bossy" and prone to acting "like a classic school bully." One recalled: "Andrew always behaved as if he was frustrated about not being the first-born and therefore destined to become king. This frustration made him a bit of a bully in private, I think."
The same servant noted that while Andrew could be loyal and supportive to favoured staff, he "couldn't resist being imperious and bossy and bad-tempered if anything went wrong or wasn't done exactly to his liking."
This stands in stark contrast to how the Queen Mother and King Charles reportedly treated staff, viewing them as "human beings" rather than subordinates.
Current Situation and Future Prospects
Andrew now faces reduced staffing at Marsh Farm, with King Charles reportedly offering only a Sandringham cleaner, groundsman and cook on an ad hoc basis—an arrangement that "hasn't gone down well" with the former prince. Given his reputation for difficult behaviour and bizarre requests, Andrew might struggle to recruit additional staff regardless of his reduced circumstances.
The extensive renovations at Marsh Farm, including installation of a tall security fence, landscaping, new carpets and a Sky TV dish, suggest Andrew is attempting to maintain some trappings of his former life despite his exile and diminished status.
