In a significant downgrade from his previous lavish lifestyle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the disgraced former Duke of York, has reportedly been informed he will now be served by a skeleton staff consisting solely of a chef and a valet. This dramatic reduction comes as royal servants who were uncertain how to address him following the stripping of his titles have been instructed to call him 'Sir'.
From Royal Opulence to Minimal Staffing
For decades, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor enjoyed being waited on hand and foot by an extensive team of staff members. At his former residence, the 30-room Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor, Berkshire, he maintained valets, chefs, butlers, housemaids, cleaners, and additional servants when using his Buckingham Palace apartment. This luxurious arrangement has now been drastically curtailed to just two positions: a personal chef and an all-round valet who will serve as a general dogsbody.
Protocol Changes Following Title Removal
The staff reduction coincides with protocol changes regarding how Andrew should be addressed. After being stripped of his HRH status, prince title, and dukedom back in October when forced to relinquish the Royal Lodge lease, confusion arose among royal servants about proper forms of address. Sources indicate they have now been formally instructed to refer to him as 'Sir' rather than using his former royal titles.
One insider revealed: "He's lost his HRH, prince and duke titles and so staff, who didn't know how to correctly address him, have been instructed that he is still to be called 'Sir'. He will be given his own chef and valet at Marsh Farm which represents a significant climbdown from the luxury he was previously afforded."
Current Living Situation and Investigation
The 66-year-old is currently residing temporarily at Wood Farm while awaiting renovations to his new permanent home at nearby Marsh Farm. This transition follows his dramatic removal from Royal Lodge, where he reportedly protested: "I'm the Queen's second son, you can't do this to me," according to sources.
These developments occur against the backdrop of an ongoing police investigation. Andrew was arrested on his 66th birthday before being released under investigation regarding claims he disclosed sensitive information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy. Officers conducted extensive searches of his former Royal Lodge residence throughout a Friday and Saturday, maintaining their investigative efforts.
Royal Family Response
Following his younger brother's detention, King Charles released an official statement declaring that "the law must take its course" and that police have "our full and wholehearted support and co-operation." Andrew has consistently refuted any misconduct regarding his connections to Epstein, maintaining his innocence throughout the investigation.
The staff assigned to Andrew at his new Marsh Farm residence have yet to be recruited, marking a stark contrast to the army of servants who previously attended to his needs. This represents one of the most significant reductions in royal household staffing in recent memory, reflecting the substantial changes in Andrew's status and circumstances following the loss of his titles and ongoing legal scrutiny.
