Robert Hardman Claims Andrew Struck Palace Aide
Prince Andrew was reportedly reprimanded after striking a senior member of the Royal Household during a dispute over booking a palace room for an event, according to royal author Mr Robert Hardman. Speaking on Newsweek’s The Royal Report podcast, Mr Hardman said the incident happened before the Duke of York stepped back from public duties in 2019 and was treated as serious within the family.
Mr Hardman said on Newsweek that the argument began after Andrew was told by the Master of the Household, Vice Admiral Mr Tony Johnstone-Burt, that rooms at the palace were fully booked. Mr Hardman described Andrew landing what he called a “kinetic blow” during the confrontation.
According to Mr Hardman, the episode prompted then-Prince Charles to intervene and speak to his brother. He also claimed Prince Philip later wrote to the staff member involved to apologise for Andrew’s behaviour.
The claims emerge amid continued scrutiny of the Duke’s status and his reduced role within the monarchy, including reports that King Charles reportedly stripped Prince Andrew of final titles as the fallout from his public controversies continues.
Prince Andrew withdrew from public life in November 2019 following a widely criticised BBC interview about his association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. He has denied allegations of sexual abuse and previously reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit in the United States without admitting liability.
