New allegations have emerged suggesting that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, was involved in a physical altercation with a senior aide to the late Queen Elizabeth II. The incident, described as a “kinetic” blow, reportedly took place within the confines of the royal household and has cast further light on the volatile relationship between the former prince and the palace establishment.
The confrontation reportedly centered on a routine administrative matter: the use of Buckingham Palace for a business event. When the former duke was informed that his request could not be accommodated due to a lack of available space, the situation escalated rapidly. According to accounts detailed in Robert Hardman’s book, Elizabeth II, the dispute ended with Mountbatten-Windsor lashing out at Vice-Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, the Master of the Royal Household.
The revelation adds a new dimension to the public narrative surrounding Mountbatten-Windsor, who has spent the last several years in a state of professional and social exile following his association with Jeffrey Epstein. While his legal battles and the loss of his royal titles have been extensively documented, these reports of internal aggression suggest a pattern of behavioral instability that caused significant astonishment among the Queen’s most trusted staff.
A dispute over palace protocol
The catalyst for the altercation was a request by Mountbatten-Windsor to host a reception at Buckingham Palace. As the Master of the Household, Vice-Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt—who has held the position since the royal household’s internal management structures were streamlined in 2013—was responsible for overseeing the palace’s logistics and scheduling.
A senior member of staff told author Robert Hardman that the matter was fundamentally simple: there was no room to accommodate the event. When Johnstone-Burt informed the former duke that he would “have to wait his turn like anybody else,” the response was immediate and physical. The resulting “kinetic” blow left staff stunned, as the Master of the Household is one of the most senior officials in the royal institution.
The aftermath of the blow followed a strict royal chain of command. Johnstone-Burt reported the incident to Earl Peel, the Lord Chamberlain and the most senior member of the royal institution. The matter was then elevated to the then-Prince Charles, who reportedly spoke with his brother regarding the altercation.
Rather than an apology, the incident allegedly culminated in a confrontational phone call. It is reported that Mountbatten-Windsor contacted Earl Peel directly, stating: “I gather you’ve been calling people and causing problems.”
Patterns of aggression and defiance
The reported clash with Johnstone-Burt is not the only instance of alleged volatility. Further accounts describe an incident in Windsor involving the Queen’s estates. According to the reporting, grooms were riding horses when a car began revving its engine “aggressively.”
The vehicle allegedly pulled alongside the grooms, and Mountbatten-Windsor was heard bellowing at the driver, “Who the f**k do you think you are?” He reportedly demanded the driver’s name, threatening to take the matter up with Queen Elizabeth II in person.
These incidents mirror a broader history of defiance against royal advisors. The most prominent example remains the 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis. Despite explicit warnings and advice from palace officials to avoid the interview, Mountbatten-Windsor insisted on recording it within the palace walls to discuss his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The interview proved catastrophic, leading to a rapid collapse of his public standing and his eventual removal from public duties.
Earl Peel later characterized the former duke’s mindset during this period, suggesting that Mountbatten-Windsor “had an overriding belief that he was better than the rest of us.”
The trajectory of a royal fall
The reported temper flares occurred against a backdrop of mounting legal and social pressure. By early 2022, the former duke’s position within the royal family had become untenable. In January 2022, he was stripped of his military affiliations and his right to use the style “His Royal Highness” (HRH).
This disciplinary action preceded a significant legal milestone in February 2022, when he reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre. Giuffre had filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was assaulted by Mountbatten-Windsor when she was 17, a claim he has consistently denied. While the settlement included a substantial donation to charities supporting victims of trafficking, it did not constitute an admission of liability.
To provide a clearer picture of the timeline leading to his current status, the following table summarizes the key turning points in his public decline:
| Year | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Newsnight Interview | Widespread public condemnation; withdrawal from public duties. |
| 2022 (Jan) | Title Removal | Stripped of military roles and “His Royal Highness” title. |
| 2022 (Feb) | Giuffre Settlement | Out-of-court settlement reached in civil assault case. |
| 2024 | Residence Shift | Relocation to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate. |
Current status and isolation
Today, the 66-year-old former duke lives a largely secluded life. On March 22, he was photographed for the first time in some months, seen walking his dogs on the grounds of his new home, Marsh Farm, located on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
The transition to Marsh Farm marks a physical separation from the centers of royal power at Buckingham Palace and Windsor. This move, coupled with the revelations of his past behavior toward staff, suggests a permanent shift in his relationship with the monarchy. While he remains a member of the family, the “kinetic” nature of his past interactions has left a lasting impression on the staff who once managed his affairs.
Both Buckingham Palace and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have been contacted for comment regarding these specific allegations of physical altercations, though no official response has been issued at this time.
The next likely point of public update regarding Mountbatten-Windsor’s status will be through official court filings or royal household announcements, though he currently maintains a low profile away from the public eye.
Do you think the monarchy has handled the situation with the former Duke of York correctly? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
