New shocking details of Andrew’s bust-up with top palace aide exposed

The member of staff received a written apology from Andrew’s father, Prince Philip.

Andrew allegedly punched a senior member of royal staff (Image: Getty)

Further details have emerged about an alleged incident in which Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had a “physical altercation” with a senior palace aide at Buckingham Palace. The shocking story emerged in esteemed royal author Robert Hardman’s latest book, Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr Hardman claimed that the incident between Andrew and Master of the Household, Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt was “an outburst of expletives and a jab of a finger”, with one staffer reportedly calling it a “kinetic” blow that shocked members of the royal household.

Now, the author has shared further details of the incident, which reportedly embarrassed Prince Philip so much that he felt compelled to write a letter apologising for his son’s behaviour.

Andrew reportedly had a “physical altercation” with the senior staffer (Image: Getty)

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.

During a recent appearance on GB News, the author said the former prince was known for “throwing his weight about,” and was someone who “Everyone found pretty exasperating”.

For the event he wanted to hold at the palace, Andrew was allegedly told there were no rooms available and that he would “have to wait, like everybody else”.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Hardman added: “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.”

Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt has served as master of the household since 2013 and continues in the role under King Charles III, overseeing official and private entertaining across royal residences spanning hospitality, catering and housekeeping.

Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt pictured in between Andrew and Princess Anne (Image: Getty)

The royal commentator claimed the late Queen, who is said to have learned of the incident later, “was not surprised”. “It was just typical of Andrew’s boorish behaviour,” the biographer added.

The book claims Andrew’s behaviour was considered so concerning that his late father, Prince Philip, allegedly felt obliged to write a letter of apology to Sir Tony. The Duke is said to have remained unapologetic, allegedly telling the Lord Chamberlain: “I gather you’ve been calling people and causing problems.”

Speaking about Andrew’s reputation, Mr Hardman added: “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.”

Former Prime Minister David Cameron was interviewed by Mr Hardman for his new book as he had been the one to sack Andrew from his role as trade envoy in 2011. He had taken on the role under Tony Blair’s 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.”