Andrew Allegedly ‘Playing Hardball’ And Wants 'Guarantee' That He Will Keep Royal Staff
Despite being stripped of his royal titles, Andrew has a long list of demands, chief among them that he not be 'confined' to his new home.
It seems Andrew Mountbatten Windsor hasn't learnt his lesson, as the royal family grows frustrated with his alleged nonchalance toward his many scandals. Despite being stripped of his royal titles, the former Prince is said to have a long list of demands — chief among them that he not be 'confined' to his new home. A source claims he is insisting on a staff rota befitting the son of a Queen and father of two princesses, and demands assurances that his funds for leaving Royal Lodge won't 'disappear' once Prince William ascends the throne.
Shortly after Mountbatten Windsor's title loss, PEOPLE reported that he would be banished to one of the properties on the Sandringham estate. Weighing in on the same, royal expert Barbara Davies detailed an insider's account of the behind-the-scenes drama. For the Daily Mail, she penned, "Disgraced Andrew, it is understood, is playing hardball. He wants a cook, a housekeeper, and a secretary-cum-butler, plus gardeners – either his own or the use of those already working for the royal family. He also wants the right to roam, rather than being confined to quarters."
The source further alleged that Mountbatten Windsor has been banned from riding on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Should he wish to go for a ride, he would have to trot around the Quadrangle, carefully shielded from the public eye. Meanwhile, his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, has reportedly suffered a 'meltdown' over the sudden downturn in her fortunes. Amid these tumultuous circumstances, Palace aides have allegedly been instructed to continue showing deference to Mountbatten Windsor, bowing in his presence and complying with his every demand.
While the former Prince is said to bask in his indifference, sources claimed he is scared of one particular member of his family. An insider spilled, "There is also the question of long-term funding and housing. It is assumed that the King will make Andrew a generous allowance, something that may not continue under King William, so Andrew wants guarantees."
'Iron-clad' William is said not to let go of his uncle scot free, as the source aptly put it, "He isn’t prepared to sign on the dotted line just yet." Despite whispers of alleged tension between William and Mountbatten Windsor, the Prince of Wales maintained a diplomatic approach when asked about his uncle during a recent appearance in Brazil for his Earthshot Prize.
Mountbatten Windsor remains engulfed in public scrutiny as US lawmakers have issued a formal request for his cooperation in their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's network. A letter sent to the former Prince last week urged him to appear before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for an interview. Its members, led by Representatives Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam, have said in a statement that his participation could be important in uncovering the truth behind Epstein's alleged crimes.
