A former UK diplomat claims Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor once made a “gratuitously rude” comment to a member of a famous Italian family. The former prince served as Britain’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 to 2011, when he stepped down amid criticism about his friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, BBC News reports.
In recent weeks, Andrew has faced mounting scrutiny for his spending habits during his time in the role, with retired civil servants alleging the royal claimed “massage services” and excessive travel costs at the taxpayer’s expense. It comes in the wake of his arrest by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19, having been accused of sharing sensitive information.
Andrew, who was arrested on his 66th birthday, spent around 11 hours in police custody while officers searched his home on the Sandringham Estate.
He was then released under investigation. Andrew continues to deny any wrongdoing.
Sir Ivor Roberts, the UK’s ambassador to Italy from 2003 to 2006 has now claimed that Andrew insulted a member of Schiaparelli family, a celebrated fashion dynasty in the country, during a trip to Florence in 2004.
Sir Ivor alleges that, when introduced to a member of the Schiaparelli family, the royal responded: “I’ve never heard of you.”
The diplomat told the i Paper that the alleged comment was “just gratuitously rude”.
Sir Ivor didn’t mention which member of the family he claims the comment was made to.
The Schiaparelli is a long-running and distinguished family of intellectuals, and aristocrats with a lineage that can be traced back to the Medici banking dynasty.
It’s also a name to be conjured with in luxury fashion, due to a well-known fashion house bearing the family name, founded by Elsa Schiaparelli.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
