A story credited to a British diplomat in Moscow has detailed how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly received a bizarre delivery at his hotel while seeking out an item described as his top priority. The revelation emerges as Andrew's ten-year tenure as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment faces intense scrutiny in recent months, compounded by the ongoing repercussions of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Diplomat's Account of Unusual Moscow Incident
In Robert Hardman's new biography of the late Queen Elizabeth II, titled Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, an anecdote recounts Andrew's trade-related visit to Moscow, Russia. The book quotes a British diplomat who remembered the Duke's apparent fixation on acquiring a fur hat during the trip.
Robert Hardman wrote: "One British diplomat in Moscow would remember a trade-related visit by the Duke, during which his top priority seemed to be the acquisition of a fur hat." The diplomat is further quoted as saying: "He had a selection of them delivered to his hotel late in the evening - come to think of it, by some very pretty shop assistants."
Mounting Scrutiny Over Andrew's Conduct
This claim follows other allegations about Andrew's behaviour, including a report from Sir Ivor Roberts, the UK's former ambassador to Italy. Sir Ivor alleged that Andrew made a "gratuitously rude" remark to a member of the prominent Italian fashion house Schiaparelli in 2004 during a trip to Florence. According to The i Paper, upon being introduced, Andrew said: "I've never heard of you," which Sir Ivor described as unnecessarily offensive.
Andrew, who denies any wrongdoing, was arrested by Thames Valley Police in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He spent eleven hours in custody while officers searched his home on the Sandringham Estate and was subsequently released under investigation. As Queen Elizabeth's second-born son, often considered her favourite child, his actions continue to draw public and media attention.
Royal Expert Predicts Further Resistance to Moves
In related developments, a royal expert claimed this month that Andrew could be removed "dragging and screaming" from his new home, similar to his ousting from Royal Lodge earlier this year. Andrew was displaced from his thirty-room mansion and has since relocated to Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where he is expected to stay temporarily while his permanent residence at nearby Marsh Farm undergoes renovations.
Royal author Robert Jobson told The Sun's Royal Exclusive on YouTube that the property has been "wrecked" with an unsightly addition, describing it as "dreadful" and "awful." He speculated that Andrew might resist leaving Wood Farm, stating: "I think it'd be the same at Wood Farm. And if he could stay at Wood Farm and put his security and staff up in the other place, I'm sure that's what he'd prefer."
Matt Wilkinson, the outlet's royal editor, suggested Andrew was "dragging his heels" and questioned whether he was becoming too comfortable in his current accommodation. These comments highlight the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding Andrew's personal and professional life, as the fur hat anecdote adds to the growing list of scrutinised incidents.
