Since he was a child studying at Gordonstoun, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was accused of arrogance and entitlement – sadly it appears he still has not learnt his lesson. Fellow pupils at the Scottish boarding school recalled Andrew as boastful, “full of himself,” and quick to use his royal status to demand VIP treatment, snapping at others: “You do know who I am?”
You would naturally assume the 66 year-old would have been humbled lately, after losing his titles, his 30-room Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor, the Epstein Files revelations and his public arrest by Thames Valley Police. ‘That image’ of a haunted Andrew returning home to Sandringham after his early morning arrest last February showed a man on the brink – he strenuously denies any wrongdoing and investigations continue.
He’s also suffered a significant downsizing in staff – from 28 to just three – and property, since leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor for his cosy five-bedroom Marsh Farm cottage in Norfolk.
Then there have been reports that King Charles has not paid his brother a visit when the monarch has been just a few hundred metres away and also staying on the Sandringham Estate.
Lastly, there’s the awkward sight of his own nephew, Peter Phillips, getting married the other weekend, and despite Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie being invited, their father was notable by his absence.
Blow after blow. You would think Andrew would be in a pride-swallowing period.
Apparently not.
Sources claim Andrew has remained defiant and more in the face of adversity, insisting his three remaining staff still call him ‘Sir’ and ‘The Duke’.
Last November, it was claimed he had spoken to his Royal Lodge staff to tell them to continue calling him ‘Duke’ in his own house and ‘His Royal Highness Prince Andrew‘.
It was even alleged he told them they would “damn well” continue to be called by his “correct titles” in his own house – until they “send a vampire to suck out every drop of royal blood in my veins”.
Now, this week, it’s been claimed that his attitude has remained despite his significant downsizing to the cottage at Sandringham.
Sources have also claimed: “Andrew has hardened considerably of late and believes he has been used as a scapegoat.
“He believes that the King has exceeded his authority and acted beyond his powers. He is beginning to fight back.”
Clint Eastwood‘s tough cop ‘Dirty Harry’ once disparagingly told his superior: “You’re a legend in your own mind!”
Andrew is determined to remain lord of all he surveys – sadly for him, that realm’s shrunk from castles and mansions to a cosy cottage in the country.