A former senior diplomat has publicly alleged that Prince Andrew, during his tenure as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment, made a "gratuitously rude" comment to a member of a prominent Italian fashion family. This claim adds to the mounting scrutiny surrounding the Duke of York's controversial role and his recent legal troubles.
Diplomatic Disgrace in Florence
Sir Ivor Roberts, who served as the United Kingdom's ambassador to Italy from 2003 to 2006, has revealed that the alleged incident occurred in 2004 during an official trip to Florence. According to Sir Ivor, when Prince Andrew was introduced to a representative of the renowned Schiaparelli fashion house, he responded dismissively with the words: "I've never heard of you." The ambassador described this remark as unnecessarily offensive and lacking in diplomatic courtesy.
The Prestigious Schiaparelli Legacy
The Schiaparelli family, founded by the iconic designer Elsa Schiaparelli in 1890, boasts a distinguished heritage of aristocracy and intellectual achievement. Elsa's father was the director of the prestigious Lincei library, while her mother could trace her ancestry directly back to the influential Medici banking dynasty of Renaissance Italy. Elsa Schiaparelli herself was celebrated as a fashion provocateur, known for incorporating surrealist elements, humour, and subversive details into her groundbreaking designs, as documented by London's Victoria and Albert Museum.
Mounting Scrutiny on Trade Envoy Role
This allegation emerges amidst intensifying examination of Prince Andrew's conduct during his time as a trade envoy. Recent reports from retired civil servants have accused the Duke of York of incurring excessive travel expenses and charging taxpayers for personal massages. Furthermore, last month, Thames Valley Police arrested Prince Andrew on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, specifically related to allegations of sharing sensitive information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Following an eleven-hour period in police custody and a search of his residence on the Sandringham Estate, Prince Andrew was released under investigation. He continues to deny any wrongdoing in relation to these serious charges.
Boris Johnson Reveals Controversial Proposal
In related developments, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has disclosed another contentious idea attributed to Prince Andrew from his trade envoy days. Writing in a column for the Daily Mail, Johnson alleged that the Duke advocated for the demolition of Battersea Power Station, a Grade II-listed architectural landmark on the south bank of the River Thames. According to Johnson, Prince Andrew described the structure as an "eyesore" and a "ruin" that was obstructing lucrative development opportunities at Vauxhall, suggesting it should be "knocked down" to attract more billionaire investors to London.
Johnson contextualised this proposal by noting it occurred during an era when London led the world in billionaire residents, prior to what he termed "Starmer's Pol Pot war on wealth creators." These revelations collectively paint a picture of a trade envoy whose methods and judgment are now facing severe and sustained criticism from multiple quarters.
