Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had a “physical altercation” with one of Elizabeth II’s most senior aides, it has been claimed.
The former Duke of York was accused of lashing out at Vice-Adml Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, master of the household, allegedly because he could not accommodate a Pitch@Palace event at Buckingham Palace.
His behaviour was considered so concerning that his late father, Prince Philip, reportedly felt obliged to write a letter of apology to Sir Tony.
“It was a routine household matter,” a senior member of staff told Robert Hardman, a royal author.
“The Duke wanted to have a reception, and there wasn’t any room. It was as simple as that.
“Tony said he’d have to wait his turn like anybody else, and the Duke went for him.”
According to Mr Hardman, it was “not just an outburst of expletives and a jab of a finger” but what one member of staff described as a “kinetic” blow, which caused astonishment within the royal household.
The alleged incident is described in Mr Hardman’s latest book, Elizabeth II, which is being serialised in the Daily Mail.
Sir Tony has been master of the household since 2013 and remains in the position working for the King.
The retired naval officer was among the senior members of staff who led the ceremonial procession out of Buckingham Palace during the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022, performing one last duty for “the boss”.
His department handles official and private entertaining across all the royal residences, running teams that span hospitality, catering and housekeeping, from florists and upholsterers to specialist craftspeople and caterers.
Fomer Duke ‘was unapologetic’
Sir Tony is said to have reported the altercation with the former Duke to the Lord Chamberlain, Lord Peel, who raised it with the then Prince Charles, who in turn spoke to his brother.
The Lord Chamberlain then received a call from an unapologetic Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who is alleged to have said: “I gather you’ve been calling people and causing problems.”
Mr Hardman describes a different incident in Windsor, when grooms from the Royal Mews had been riding some of the late Queen’s horses on the estate.
“One had waved a firm hand at an approaching car which was revving its engine aggressively,” he writes.
“It pulled alongside and, through the window, the Duke of York bellowed at her: ‘Who the f— do you think you are?’”
The former Duke is said to have demanded her name before taking it up with the late Queen in person.
Late Queen ‘very down’ over resignation letter
The book also describes the “cold fury” within the royal household that the former Duke had gone against all internal advice to record the infamous 2019 Newsnight interview in the palace.
“Everyone in his office had been told that this should not happen,” a senior aide was quoted as saying.
Lord Peel added: “The Duke had an overriding belief that he was better than the rest of us. His self-confidence and entitlement was off the scale.”
When it came to drafting Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s subsequent letter of resignation, the late Queen was said to be “very, very down”.
A source told Hardman it was “the worst” moment that they could recall for the late Queen. “She was very stoical,” they said. “She understood the need. But it was very, very painful.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.telegraph.co.uk ’
