Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is reportedly refusing to accept his 'humiliating' status as a prince-turned-commoner, seven months after being stripped of his royal titles and exiled from the royal family. Living in a bog-ridden cottage far from his former 30-room mansion, Royal Lodge, and without his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the former duke is taking his frustrations out on his three remaining employees, according to sources cited by the Mirror.
Demands for Royal Titles Continue
Andrew is said to still insist that his staff address him as 'Sir' and refer to him as 'The Duke', despite King Charles removing his titles. In a reported 'jaw-dropping' speech to staff, he allegedly declared they will 'damn well' use his 'correct titles' in his own home until they 'send a vampire to suck out every drop of royal blood in my veins'. The Daily Mail reports that Andrew has not accepted his reduced status and continues to demand deference from his small retinue.
Influence of Middle Eastern Allies
Royal author and historian Andrew Lownie, who researched the Yorks extensively, told the Mirror that Andrew's behavior is likely encouraged by his Middle Eastern business associates. '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 said. He added that Andrew 'has no sense of his own status except through this' and that 'Middle Eastern rulers stiffen the sinews a bit'.
Lownie also noted that Andrew feels 'thrown to the wolves' and that revenge or a comeback 'would certainly fit with his character'. He claimed Andrew 'didn't like Camilla' and 'was rude about Kate', with his only current allies being Edward and Anne.
Entitlement and Staff Treatment
Despite his reduced circumstances, Andrew reportedly retains an extraordinary sense of entitlement. He was insulted when King Charles offered him use of a Sandringham cleaner, groundsman, and cook on an ad hoc basis, with a source saying 'It hasn't gone down well'. In Lownie's biography Entitled, a source is quoted: '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 his new home, Marsh Farm, has only 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 Bullying and Bizarre Requests
Many of Andrew's former staff were likely happy to leave his employ, as he has long been dogged by allegations of arrogance, entitlement, bullying, and humiliation of employees. He reportedly made bizarre requests and would 'scream and shout' if they were not followed. In his biography, Lownie quotes a former equerry for the Queen Mother describing Andrew as a 'rude, ignorant sod'. The book also claims Andrew insisted maids climb four floors to open his curtains while he lay in bed, and that scrunched-up, soiled tissues were often left for staff to collect each morning. On another occasion, he brought a television technician to his home in the middle of the night to explain how the remote worked.
Recent Luxury Trip to France
Despite his exile, Andrew recently enjoyed an all-expenses-paid trip to France, courtesy of billionaire UAE horse breeding tycoon Mohammed A Baker. He traveled by private jet from Norwich International to Dinard Airport on May 30, spending three days at a remote stud farm near St Malo before returning on June 1. During the trip, he reportedly rode horses on a French beach, played boules, and dined on meals prepared by a private chef.
