Former Buckingham Palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter has described Prince Andrew as a "bully" who treats people "like dirt", recalling an occasion when he slammed the phone down on the royal.
Arbiter Recalls Run-In With Andrew
Mr Arbiter spoke to Emily Wright, the Express's Royal Editor and host of the Royals Unscripted podcast. Asked about his impression of Andrew during his 12 years at the palace, Mr Arbiter said: "Well, my impression of him back then hasn't changed since. He was arrogant. He's bombastic. Very rude. Treats people who really can't do anything for him like dirt."
He then described a "run-in" with the then-prince on a garden party day. Around a hundred bishops attending a conference held every 10 years, the Anglican Communion, were guests of the Queen for the garden party, all in their crimson cassocks.
Mr Arbiter said Andrew proposed: "I've got a good idea for a photograph. Get some chairs out in the garden. I will tell Her Majesty that the chairs are arranged. The bishops are seated and it will make a terrific picture."
Phone Exchange Escalates
Mr Arbiter refused, saying: "No; it's not your garden party. If Her Majesty wants a picture, then she will tell the master, the master will tell me and I'll arrange it. But, until such time, it ain't going to happen." Andrew then slammed the phone down.
Refusing to accept the treatment, Mr Arbiter picked up the phone. When Andrew answered with "Yes. What do you want?", the former spokesman, with "an expletive", told the Queen's second son: "Don't you ever slam the phone on me like that again."
Colleague's Warning
Mr Arbiter then slammed the phone down himself. A colleague told him: "You'll get fired for that." Mr Arbiter replied: "No, I won't. He won't tell anybody." A few days later, he saw Andrew, who "was sweetness and light".
Mr Arbiter concluded: "So, you know, he's a bully. He's arrogant. He's rude. He's bombastic [...] He's everything that's not particularly nice in a person."
Andrew has been embroiled in scandal in recent months. He was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his relationship with deceased paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The former Duke of York lives a reclusive life at his new home in Marsh Farm in Norfolk, having moved out of the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor. Mr Arbiter said: "He's had his comeuppance, and maybe he'll learn from it. But I doubt it." Andrew has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any offences.
