The United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew has once again found himself at the center of controversy as new revelations from two upcoming books detail his personal life, financial troubles, and alleged bullying behavior.
Royal biographers Andrew Lownie and Tom Quinn have each uncovered troubling aspects of the Duke of York’s history, shedding light on his relationship with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and his conduct toward staff members.
Lownie’s book, “The Controversial Lives of the Duke and Duchess of York,” exposes the realities of Andrew and Ferguson’s four-decade-long relationship. The biographer described them as “roleless,” asserting that they prioritized maintaining their lavish lifestyles despite lacking official royal duties. He claimed their marriage was troubled within weeks of their 1986 wedding and that Ferguson’s extravagant spending habits had long been a concern.
According to Lownie, Ferguson has lived beyond her means, surpassing other royals in expenditures. He alleged that at one point, she had “five times as many staff as Diana” and faced High Court writs over unpaid bills. The book also revisits the infamous “toe-sucking” scandal involving Ferguson and Texan Steven Wyatt, detailing how the images were exposed to the media.
Lownie further explores the strained relationship between Prince Andrew and his brother, King Charles. After speaking with over 100 sources, he alleged that Charles deliberately distanced himself from Andrew and excluded his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, from the modern “slimmed-down monarchy.” According to an insider, Charles’ patience is “wearing thin” as Andrew continues to bring shame to the Crown, mainly due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein and an alleged Chinese spy.
Meanwhile, Tom Quinn’s upcoming book, “Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants,” due to be published on February 18, provides firsthand accounts from former royal staff, painting Andrew as “bossy” and akin to a “classic school bully.” Servants recalled instances where he had employees removed over trivial matters, such as one staff member due to a mole on his face and another for wearing a nylon tie.
A former servant revealed that Andrew often struggled with not being the firstborn, expressing frustration over never becoming king. While he could be loyal and supportive to the staff he favored, his demeanor shifted dramatically when things didn’t go his way. He tended to be “imperious and bossy,” displaying a short temper when tasks weren’t executed to his specifications.
Paul Page, a former Royal Protection Command officer, has openly discussed Andrew’s alleged mistreatment of staff. He filed three complaints about the prince’s behavior and was aware of “at least a dozen” others. Page stated that there was “evidence” of Andrew being both “overbearing and verbally abusive,” highlighting a pattern of misconduct within the palace. He also criticized the double standard, questioning why an investigation was launched into Meghan Markle while Andrew’s alleged bullying remained ignored.
Another account detailed Andrew’s insistence on keeping “50 or 60” stuffed toys on his bed, requiring maids to use a laminated guide to ensure each bear was placed correctly. A former maid also recounted how he would shout “Clear the decks!”—an order requiring staff to vacate hallways before he moved through them.
Andrew’s treatment of staff was not confined to palace employees. According to Valentine Low in “Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind The Crown,” he once lashed out at the queen’s press secretary over an umbrella. In a profanity-laced outburst, he reportedly questioned, “Who the f* are you?” before demanding that they fetch their “own f*ing umbrella.” This incident reflected his volatile temperament and lack of regard for even senior staff members.
His controversies extend beyond staff treatment. His ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein have long overshadowed his public standing. In 2022, he reached a multi-million-pound settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault when she was a minor. More recently, he was linked to Yang Tengbo, an alleged Chinese spy, though he later claimed to have severed ties with the businessman.
Andrew continues to reside at the Royal Lodge with Sarah Ferguson despite being stripped of his royal duties. The couple divorced in 1996 but remain close and share a home. Sources suggest that King Charles and Queen Camilla have urged Ferguson to persuade him to “completely withdraw from royal life.” An insider noted that the palace has done its best to manage a “difficult relationship” and has imposed every possible sanction. However, they acknowledged the limitations of the situation, pointing out that while actions can be taken against Andrew, “you can’t divorce or sack your brother from being your brother.”
These latest revelations highlight the monarchy’s challenges as it attempts to distance itself from Andrew’s scandals. With growing public scrutiny and continued pressure from the royal family, his future within the institution remains uncertain.