Prince Andrew’s Former Maid Exposes His Behavior Behind Palace Walls

Prince Andrew, once a celebrated royal and naval hero, has become synonymous with scandal, his reputation eroded by ties to Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of misconduct. Now, fresh revelations from Charlotte Briggs, a former maid at Buckingham Palace, paint a vivid picture of his private behavior, revealing a man whose demanding and volatile nature contrasts sharply with his public image. Coupled with accounts from other staff and a new biography, these claims deepen the narrative of a prince whose entitlement has contributed to his dramatic fall from grace.

Charlotte Briggs’ Revelations: A Demanding Prince

In 1996, 21-year-old Charlotte Briggs joined Buckingham Palace as a maid, initially thrilled by the opportunity. Her early duties were routine—cleaning offices and sharing brief, kind moments with royals like Prince Edward, who held doors open for her. But six months in, she was assigned to serve Prince Andrew, then 36 and newly divorced from Sarah Ferguson. What began as a prestigious role quickly turned into a grueling ordeal.

Briggs described Andrew as petulant and temperamental, prone to explosive outbursts over trivial matters. One incident involved a rant over curtains left slightly askew, with Andrew barking, “Can’t you do anything right?” as she scrambled to adjust them, reducing her to tears. His demands extended to his bedroom, where pillows embroidered with the royal crest had to be perfectly centered, pajamas meticulously laid out, and an array of teddy bears arranged according to a laminated diagram. Any deviation sparked his fury. Briggs found this behavior jarring for a Falklands War veteran, noting the hypocrisy of a man who couldn’t close his own curtains yet expected military precision from staff.

By contrast, she praised other royals like Charles and Edward for their dignity and Princess Anne for her quiet respect. Andrew, however, stood out as “a bad apple,” turning her dream job into a nightmare. Earning just £600 a month, Briggs also experienced surreal moments, like standing on the royal balcony during Trooping the Colour and being hugged by Nelson Mandela. Yet Andrew’s petty demands overshadowed these highlights, with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson’s presence lingering eerily—her wedding dress and makeup still kept in his wardrobe years after their 1992 divorce.

Corroborating Accounts: A Pattern of Entitlement

Briggs’ claims, which surfaced in 2022 amid Andrew’s legal battles, are not isolated. Former palace guard Paul Page, in the ITV documentary Ghislaine, Prince Andrew, and the Paedophile, confirmed Andrew’s obsession with his 50-60 stuffed toys, noting maids followed a strict diagram for their placement. Writer Elizabeth Day, visiting Buckingham Palace in 2019, recalled seeing a large teddy bear—gifted by Ferguson—on a chair, a detail Andrew laughed off but which took on a strange hue in light of other accounts.

Veteran royal biographer Andrew Lownie’s 2025 book, The Rise and Fall of the House of York, adds further weight. Excerpts published by The Daily Mail describe Andrew’s treatment of staff as “vicious.” In a 2005 incident at Hillsborough Castle, he reportedly called staffer David Anderson a “f***ing imbecile” for referring to the Queen Mother without her full title, mocking him after learning of his 20-year service. Lownie cites Andrew’s catchphrase—“I want this done and I want this done now. Do it!”—as a hallmark of his commanding, intolerant demeanor.

Lownie also alleges strained ties with Princes William and Harry, including a disputed claim of a physical altercation with Harry over derogatory comments about Meghan Markle. Though Harry’s camp denied this as “gross inaccuracies,” the story fuels the image of a prince at odds with both staff and family.

The Epstein Shadow and Public Downfall

Andrew’s behavior behind closed doors dovetails with his public scandals, most notably his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Introduced to Epstein in 1999 through Ghislaine Maxwell, Andrew maintained contact even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex crimes. A 2010 photo of them in Central Park and a 2011 email urging Epstein to “keep in close touch” contradicted Andrew’s claim of cutting ties. Virginia Giuffre’s allegations—that she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell and abused by Andrew as a teenager—further tarnished his image. His 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, with bizarre defenses like a Pizza Express alibi and claims of not sweating, was a public relations disaster, leading to his withdrawal from royal duties.

In 2022, Andrew settled with Giuffre for an estimated £12 million, with questions lingering about whether the Queen or Charles funded it. Stripped of his HRH status, military titles, and patronages, he faced further scrutiny in 2024 when a Chinese businessman, Yang Tengbo, linked to him was barred from the UK over national security concerns. Campaigns in York, Inverness, and Killyleagh now call for his remaining titles to be revoked.

A Royal in Decline

Andrew’s fall traces back to a privileged yet troubled life. Born in 1960 as the first child to a reigning monarch since 1857, he was educated at elite schools, earning the nickname “the snigger” for his crude humor. His naval career, including heroic service in the Falklands War, earned praise, but his personal life faltered. A serious romance with Koo Stark ended under palace pressure, and his 1986 marriage to Sarah Ferguson crumbled by 1992 amid public scandals. Despite their divorce, their close bond persisted, with Ferguson’s own Epstein ties—accepting a £15,000 loan—adding to the controversy.

Other staff accounts, like those of masseuse Emma Gruenbaum and protection officer Paul Page, describe Andrew’s crude remarks and volatile temper, painting a consistent picture of entitlement. Buckingham Palace’s silence on these claims, once a shield, now amplifies public suspicion. As Briggs noted, Andrew’s behavior made him “an architect of his own downfall,” a prince whose privilege clashed with accountability.

A Legacy of Scandal

From war hero to disgraced royal, Andrew’s story is one of squandered potential. His choices—maintaining toxic friendships, dismissing staff, and failing to show empathy—have left his reputation in tatters. With each revelation, from maids to biographers, the question looms: what more will emerge? Living at Royal Lodge, still titled Duke of York, Andrew remains a polarizing figure, his fall a cautionary tale of privilege unchecked by responsibility.