A purported quote from the late Queen Elizabeth II has revealed the true colours of disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in a biography of her life. The book, by Robert Hardman, offers insightful access to the Royal Family and uncovers the nature of the former Duke of York’s alleged churlish behaviour.
Elizabeth II: In Private explores a number of controversial incidents that Andrew is said to have been involved in during his mother’s reign as monarch. The 66-year-old was stripped of his royal titles and honours by King Charles III in October last year following increased scrutiny regarding his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He also became the first senior British royal to be arrested in modern times when he was detained on his birthday, in February, on suspicion of misonduct in public office.
As reported by The Telegraph, the biography details an occasion where Andrew apparently punched Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, who was the Master of the Household, over the availability of a reception room. However, the Queen was reportedly left unsurprised by his involvement.
The book states that when she was told about what happened, the monarch replied: “Oh, I’m sure he did it.” She added a seven-word remark: “That’s the sort of thing he does.”
Andrew was reprimanded by Lord Peel, Lord Chamberlain and a senior officer of the royal household following the incident. Meanwhile, Prince Philip was left to write a letter of apology to Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt.
Another alleged incident noted in the biography includes Andrew yelling abuse at a groomsman who confronted him after the royal revved his car at horses. He also performed a handbrake town so gravel hit the cars of visitors, Mr Hardman added.
He said: “People want to blame the Queen personally for the whole Andrew debacle, and say she indulged him because he was her favourite. But having spoken to lots of people who knew her well, it had nothing to do with favouritism – he was just the one she worried about far more than the others.
“They were strong, resilient self-starters whom she knew would be OK. But Andrew had cut a fairly lost figure since he left the Navy in 2001. He didn’t have a wife, and he didn’t have a role. He was… different.”