Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s position after stepping away from royal duties and losing his title has become increasingly ambiguous. The controversies surrounding him, along with the latest news of his arrest, may be making the staff members reluctant to address the ex-prince as “Sir,” according to a source familiar with the situation. Sources allege that since he has lost his HRH and other titles, the move of ordering his staff to address him as “Sir” is “unbelievably egotistical.”
Ex-Prince Andrew’s staff finding it ‘difficult’ to call him ‘sir,’ says source
After leaving the Royal Lodge on King Charles’ orders, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the ex-prince, moved to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk temporarily. He will soon move to nearby Marsh Farm once the renovations there are done.
Amid this, and his recent arrest, sources allege that while the former Duke of York has been stripped of his title, he has instructed his staff to call him “Sir.”
Radar Online reports that since leaving his royal role, Andrew’s support has been scaled back to the basics. After the relocation, he is reportedly going to have only a chef and a valet assigned to him. It is believed that the staff wanted clarity on how to address him after his titles were removed.
As per a source, Andrew requested his staff to address him as “Sir.” Moreover, he allegedly made it look like it was a demand from the King, when it was not. People close to the estate say that insisting on “Sir” makes it look like he is clinging to old privileges. Plus, he is still expecting royal treatment, even though he no longer has a formal royal role.
A formal courtier said that the morale of the staff is low. They alleged that some staff were “previously given the option to refuse to serve Andrew if they felt uncomfortable.” The tipster continued that now they are being expected to treat him very formally. It’s a change that has not gone unnoticed.
Another source added, “The reduction of Andrew’s staff to a cook and a valet is a dramatic shift from the lifestyle he once had. But even within that downsizing, there is an expectation of deference. That contradiction is what many find difficult.”
