Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor accused of ‘physical altercation’ with senior aide of Elizabeth II
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s II. Elizabeth allegedly had a “physical altercation” with one of her most senior aides.
The former Duke of York is said to have lashed out at the royal family’s master, Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, after being told he could not host a Pitch@Palace event at Buckingham Palace.
A senior staff member told royal writer Robert Hardman that the fight was described by a member of staff as a “kinetic” blow that caused consternation within the royal family.
A senior staff member told Mr Hardman: “It was a routine household chore. The Duke wanted to hold a reception and there was no room there. It was that simple.” Daily Mail.
“Tony said he had to wait his turn like everyone else, and the Duke went after him.”
Sir Tony, who has been master of the house since 2013 and continues to work for the King, is said to have reported the row with the former Duke to Lord Chamberlain Lord Peel, who raised the issue with the then-Prince Charles. He later allegedly talked to his brother about the incident.
The Lord Chamberlain later reportedly received a call from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor saying: “I understand you are calling people and causing problems.”
In another alleged incident at Windsor, grooms from the Royal Mews were riding some of the late Queen’s horses in the grounds when an approaching car was seen revving its engine “aggressively”.
Mr Hardman said the car stopped next to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and he asked the driver “who do you think you are?” He wrote that he “screamed”.
He added that the former Duke had asked for the late Queen’s name before meeting her in person.
The book also describes the fury within the royal family after Mr Mountbatten-Windsor went against advice and recorded Emily Maitlis’ infamous 2019 Newsnight interview at the palace about her relationship with Epstein.
Lord Peel said he “had a very important belief that he was better than the rest of us”.
He was stripped of his military roles and use of his HRH title in January 2022, a month before he settled a legal dispute with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims. She claimed she was attacked by Andrew.
On March 22, Andrew was photographed for the first time since his arrest. The 66-year-old former prince was spotted walking his dogs in the grounds around Marsh Farm, his new home on Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
Buckingham Palace and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have been contacted Independent for a comment.
