As Prince Andrew marks his 65th birthday today, the Duke of York finds himself in the midst of a storm of scandal, with his reputation in tatters.
From the highly publicized settlement with Virginia Giuffre to his alleged connections with a Chinese spy, Andrew’s personal life has been marred by controversy.
The ongoing dispute with his brother, Prince Charles, over the Royal Lodge only adds fuel to the fire, further distancing him from the royal family.
Despite all of this, it seems unlikely that he’ll find a way back into the family fold—especially with Palace staff seemingly having no interest in supporting his return.
Andrew’s Reputation for Rudeness and Imperious Attitude Towards Palace Staff
During his time as a working royal, Prince Andrew became infamous for his temperamental and dismissive attitude toward Palace staff.
He earned a reputation for being rude, curt, and often downright imperious.
In fact, he was frequently described as treating aides and staff as though they were beneath him.
According to royal expert Tom Quinn, an aide shared in his book Gilded Youth that Andrew would often “treat them as if we were living in the middle ages.”
This portrayal of Andrew’s attitude was further echoed in the Amazon Prime series A Very Royal Scandal, where actor Michael Sheen plays a pompous Andrew, even storming through the palace corridors, shouting at staff members.
The incident exemplifies the type of behavior that has long characterized the Duke’s interactions with those around him.
Allegations of Verbal Abuse and Overbearing Behavior
In 2022, Prince Andrew’s behavior towards Palace staff became a subject of more serious accusations.
Former royal protection officer Paul Page claimed that he filed multiple complaints about the Duke’s verbal abuse and overbearing conduct while working in the Royal Protection Command from 1998 to 2004.
Page noted that there were “at least a dozen” similar complaints filed by his colleagues regarding Andrew’s aggressive behavior.
Despite the repeated reports, Page alleged that his complaints were ignored by Palace officials who seemed unwilling to rock the boat.
He argued that the Palace should investigate Andrew’s actions in the same way they did when similar allegations were made against Meghan Markle.
Page called for a fair investigation into whether Andrew’s behavior was truly a case of bullying, considering the evidence at hand.
A History of Explosive Temper and Disrespect for Palace Rules
Prince Andrew’s bad temper and disrespect for the Palace’s rules were well known among his staff.
One instance, as recalled by Page, took place when he was caught walking the Queen’s private corridors in a tracksuit.
Page, in an attempt to explain the situation, apologized and informed Andrew of a potential intruder.
To this, the Duke reportedly responded, “This is my house, I go where I want, now f*** off.”
In another bizarre account, it was revealed that Andrew’s obsession with order extended even to his collection of stuffed toys.
Palace staff were reportedly required to carefully arrange them in size order, with one maid recounting the training she received specifically for this task.
She also mentioned how Andrew left her “in tears” after making her run up four flights of stairs to shut his curtains, all while he sat next to them.
Andrew’s Disdain for His Older Brother and Sense of Superiority
Beyond his treatment of staff, Andrew’s difficult relationship with his older brother, Prince Charles, was well-documented.
It’s said that Andrew harbored intense jealousy toward Charles, particularly with regard to his future as King.
One former royal aide commented that Andrew “looked down on Charles” and believed that he would make a better king than his older sibling.
This tension between the two brothers was evident from a young age.
At Gordonstoun School, where both Charles and Andrew attended, the future King struggled with bullying, but rose to the position of head boy. Andrew, however, did not achieve such status.
Author Tina Brown, in The Palace Papers, speculated that this was because “his classmates didn’t like him much,” describing Andrew as “big-headed, arrogant, and deluded about his own intelligence.”
This arrogance, Brown suggests, was likely a defense mechanism masking his insecurity about being the second son.
A Personal Void and Lifelong Struggles with Identity
There seems to have always been an emptiness within Prince Andrew’s personality, which may have fueled his loud laughter and boastful behavior.
His attempt to appear important and gain attention often seemed hollow to those around him.
As Brown pointed out, despite his privileged lifestyle, Andrew’s childhood rivalry with Charles was ever-present, and the realization that he was second in line to the throne, rather than first, created a deep-rooted feeling of inferiority.
As he celebrates his 65th birthday, it’s clear that Prince Andrew’s reputation remains firmly entrenched in controversy.
Whether or not he’ll be able to repair his relationship with the royal family remains uncertain, but as it stands, his royal career appears to be all but over.