Former royal staff members including a Royal Protection Officer and the Queen's press secretary have all branded Prince Andrew as 'arrogant and entitled'.

11:26, Thu, Mar 26, 2026 Updated: 11:30, Thu, Mar 26, 2026

The Funeral Of The Duchess Of Kent

Andrew made few friends among Palace staff (Image: Getty)

Despite being stripped of his titles and honours, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the late Queen Elizabeth's scandal-prone son, has always firmly denied the accusations of sexual impropriety and misconduct in public office that have been levelled against him.

However, there are some criticisms he may find difficult to dismiss – such as the damning evaluations from those who worked alongside him most intimately when he remained the monarch's 'favourite' son.

Dickie Arbiter, for instance, who meticulously handled the late Queen's public profile for more than a decade, continues to be a loyal advocate for most members of the Royal Family. He characterises King Charles as 'good to work for', noting that, as Prince of Wales, Charles frequently laboured well past midnight on his numerous royal obligations.

Former journalist Dickie was similarly impressed by the King's first wife. He remembers fondly how Princess Diana generously organised a 50th birthday celebration for him in September 1990. 'That was the sort of person she was,' he says.

Yet the former media spokesman for the Royal Family revealed to the i newspaper that he's certain the staff currently working in Buckingham Palace's press office will feel grateful they no longer need to account for 'arrogant and entitled' Andrew.

Dickie Arbiter, LVO, Assistant Press Secretary to the Queen, at Buckingahm Palace

Dickie Arbiter says the Buckingham Palace press team must be relieved to see the back of Andrew (Image: PA)

Dai Davies served as the Operational Unit Commander in charge of Royal Protection for HM Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family during the mid-1990s. He led a team of approximately 450 highly skilled police officers tasked with safeguarding the senior royals across the UK and globally.

He remembers most of his charges as 'perfectly pleasant.' Like Dickie Arbiter, he found working for the then-Prince and Princess of Wales enjoyable: 'Charles was polite,' he stated. 'Diana, I liked her very much. When I started, she said to me, "You poor man – do you know what you've taken on?"'

However, like numerous former royal staff members, Dai has very few positive things to say about 'rude and dismissive' Andrew.

Andrew

Several former royal aides have criticised Andrew's shocking manners (Image: Getty)

Dai recounted an instance when the Duke of York, as he was known then, phoned him regarding a security issue and demanded to speak to his superior. Dai had to clarify to the impatient prince that he was the highest-ranking individual in the chain of command: 'I found him boorish and ignorant,' he declared.

Colin Burgess, who served as equerry to the late Queen Mother for several years, disclosed to royal biographer Andrew Lownie how the ex-prince had nearly pushed him beyond breaking point: 'I remember nearly telling him where to go when he came into Clarence House and wanted something wrapped,' he said.

'He looked at me and barked: "You, wrap that!" and pointed to some object. I just thought, you rude, ignorant sod, and felt like decking him.'

Dai Davies

Dai Davies was not a fan of the one-time Duke of York (Image: North Devon Journal)

These harsh characterisations of Andrew are not merely idle office chatter. In a parliamentary debate last month, trade minister Chris Bryant labelled the former UK Trade Envoy as a 'rude, arrogant and entitled man', while Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey stated: 'Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has shamed our country and the Royal Family.'

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Addressing the matter of Andrew's formal removal from the royal line of succession, MP Luke Taylor highlighted that when the photos of Andrew and his sex offender acquaintance Jeffrey Epstein walking together in New York were published in 2011, the King's brother was fourth in line to the throne.

'At the time that that scandal was occurring, he was so close to the throne. It's disgusting,' he expressed, adding, 'I'm going to ask the minister specifically if he can give us an update on legislation that the government might bring forward to remove Andrew from the line of succession.'