Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor gained a nickname amongst Buckingham Palace staff – but his was a little too NSFW to air on TV.
Former royal butler Paul Burrell once remarked that Buckingham Palace was known by employees as the ‘Gin Palace’ thanks to the alleged prevalence of Gordon’s nightcaps and parties with the alcohol.
There was also a time where both Prince Harry and Andrew were apparently named the ‘Dukes of Hazzard’, after the 1979 American comedy series, and also because they are (or were) Dukes who caused ‘hazards’ for the King.
According to royal correspondent, Kate Mansey, they were given the nickname by royal staff, revealing via the Express it was because they were ‘problems for The King, but perhaps Andrew more so.’
That sentiment was echoed by Andrew having stepped back from public duties in 2019 after his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.
In an old 60 Minutes clip, ex-staffer Paul Page – a former royal protection officer – told journalist Tara Brown about a ‘rude’ name people used for him.
He explained on the show: “His official code – so if he were to come into the Palace – his call sign was Purple 4-1. But he did have a nickname, but it’s a bit rude to tell you.”
He then warned: “But you won’t be able to air it.”
In the end, the two-worded name was revealed as ‘The C***’.
I’m sure you can use your imagination here.
Paul said the nickname reflected how people around Andrew felt about him, sharing: “Plain and simple, because unfortunately, he upset everyone he came across. He was the most unpopular member of the royal family while I was there. He was just rude and arrogant, and his sense of self-entitlement was breathtaking.”
Andrew was arrested by plain-clothed Thames Valley Police officers on Wednesday 19 February at Wood Farm in Norfolk, and held on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
It came following accusations that the father-of-two had shared confidential information with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2001 and 2011, whilst serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
Since the arrest, Scotland Yard said detectives had contacted those who had served as protection officers to him, with a spokesperson stating: “They have been asked to consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard during that period of service may be relevant to our ongoing reviews and to share any information that could assist us.”
Days later, the former head of royal protection, Dai Davies, told Sky News: “They would have gone to all the five residences we’ve been talking about … in the United States Virgin Islands, New Mexico and Florida. It’s inconceivable to me, I’m sad to say, that nobody saw anything.”
