Biographer Claims Andrew Used Tea With Queen
Prince Andrew is facing renewed criticism after claims that he leveraged his closeness to Queen Elizabeth II to bypass palace staff and get decisions reversed, according to a royal biographer quoted in new reporting.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman alleged that, when he was told something could not be done, Andrew would wait until a Sunday afternoon to have tea with the Queen and raise the issue when officials were not present, Reality Tea reported.
Hardman said the Duke of York would then return to staff the following day claiming he had the late monarch’s approval. The account described Queen Elizabeth’s schedule as tightly managed by senior aides, and suggested Andrew resented being blocked by officials, prompting him to seek permission directly from his mother during informal time together.
The claims come as public attention remains fixed on the Duke’s reduced role, with the Reality Tea report also noting that he has been stripped of titles and moved from Royal Lodge to a home on the Sandringham estate. In recent weeks, questions about his standing have persisted, including the Duke’s move to a Sandringham property and what it could mean for his future involvement with the family.
A separate unnamed source cited in the report characterised the alleged behaviour as “sneaky” and suggested emotional access to the late Queen could be used to override institutional checks. The reporting also referenced long-running claims that Andrew enjoyed a level of personal access to Queen Elizabeth that others did not.
Neither Buckingham Palace nor representatives for Prince Andrew were cited as responding in the report, and the allegations remain claims from sources quoted in media coverage. The latest account adds to ongoing debate about how royal households manage access and influence behind the scenes.
