Buckingham Palace staff were reportedly instructed to maintain strict formalities around Prince Andrew, including bowing and curtsying, even as the royal faced mounting pressure over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to newly revealed correspondence, the Duke of York's private secretary, Amanda Thirsk, emphasised that traditional courtesies should be observed by all staff members when interacting with the Queen's second son. This protocol reinforcement came during a period when Andrew's connections to Epstein were drawing significant public and media scrutiny.
Palace Protocol Under Scrutiny
The email directives, sent in 2015, specifically reminded household staff that proper bows and curtsies were expected when encountering Prince Andrew. This insistence on formal etiquette occurred while the royal was attempting to rehabilitate his public image following the Epstein controversy.
One palace insider revealed that the timing of these protocol reminders raised eyebrows among staff members, given the serious nature of the allegations surrounding Andrew's associations.
Epstein Connection Fallout
The renewed focus on royal formalities coincided with Prince Andrew's efforts to distance himself from Epstein, who was convicted of sex offences in 2008. Despite this, the Duke maintained contact with the financier, visiting him in New York after his release from prison.
These connections would later culminate in Andrew's dramatic step back from royal duties in 2019, following a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview that failed to adequately address his relationship with Epstein.
Royal Household Dynamics
The revelation highlights the complex dynamics within royal households, where traditional protocols sometimes clash with modern expectations of royal behaviour. Staff members, while accustomed to formalities, reportedly found the specific reminders unusual given the circumstances.
This insight into palace operations comes as the royal family continues to navigate the delicate balance between maintaining centuries-old traditions and adapting to contemporary standards of conduct and accountability.
