Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's alleged 'physical altercation' with Palace staff member explained

Ben McCaffrey
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:06:34 +0000

A "physical altercation" that allegedly took place between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and a senior aide has been detailed by a royal journalist.

The former prince was known for "throwing his weight about," according to biographer Robert Hardman, who told GB News: "Everyone found him pretty exasperating".

The incident in question, Mr Hardman claims, "came to a head one day" when the ex-duke was "demanding" access to a room at Buckingham Palace for a Pitch@Palace event.

Founded by the former Duke of York in 2014, Pitch@Palace was created to support tech startups and connect them with investors.

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It was dissolved in 2026 following reports of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's association with Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

For the event, Andrew was allegedly told there were no rooms available and that he would "have to wait, like everybody else".

Mr Hardman, whose biography on Queen Elizabeth II was released on April 9, detailed the alleged incident to the People's Channel: "It ended up with him pushing, punching...it was described to me as a kinetic blow, and a very distinguished, much-liked, much-trusted, very senior royal aide."

The royal commentator claimed the Queen, who is said to have found out about the incident later, "was not surprised".

"It was just typical of Andrew's boorish behaviour," the biographer added.

The book also claims his father, Prince Philip, was so concerned by his behaviour, he felt obliged to write a formal letter of apology to master of the household, Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt.

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Andrew's conduct was called into question throughout Mr Hardman's biography, "Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story".

"The more stories I heard about Andrew's behaviour," the commentator explained to GB News. "Whether you talked to Lord Lieutenantants, whether you talk to ambassadors, whoever it is, everyone would have an eye-rolling Andrew story."

David Cameron was interviewed by Mr Hardman while he was researching the newly released book, and the former Tory Prime Minister offered a far from glowing assessment of the 66-year-old.

Mr Cameron sacked Mr Mountbatten-Windsor from his role as Trade Envoy in 2011.

He had initially been hired under the Tony Blair government in 2001.

"David Cameron said he was just a liability as Trade Envoy," Mr Hardman recalled. "You'd be at a Davos trade conference, and he'd just say the wrong thing.

"He'd blunder into the room and blunder out again, and time was called."

GB News approached Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for comment.