Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

“Mountbatten-Windsor at school was known for being a bully, a loner, supercilious, entitled, indulged. One story from Heatherdown says that he took someone's exotic stamp collection, simply crossed their name out and wrote in his own, and was never punished.”

“Putin could finish Andrew (and the Royal Family) anytime he likes with photos, tales and evidence he no doubt has on Andrew in Russia.”

“In 2001 I was in London when [redacted] met a number of friends of mine including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family.”

“I know that Epstein was a Soviet asset. There's a huge national security scandal here of penetration. [...] Keep it to the sexual side – everyone understands that bit – and certainly not go anywhere near the national security scandal. The plan [of the palace], I think, at the moment, is to throw Andrew to the wolves.”

“He didn't give a reason. Instead, he patted the British ambassador on the head twice and announced to everyone present that this was the chap – not him – whose job it was to promote UK business.”

“HBH: His Buffoon Highness [...] stemmed from his childish obsession with doing exactly the opposite of what had been agreed in pre-visit meetings with his staff. He frequently refused to follow his brief – we wondered if he had actually read it – and appeared to regard himself as an expert in every matter.”

“the duke didn't relate well to less senior contacts or staff. 'He didn't seem to understand the responsibilities or accountability that came with his status, or think through the consequences of what he said for those with less privilege,' said the ambassador. Although as a senior royal, Andrew was a high-ranking asset, he was also a liability who had to be managed, self-centred and showed little interest in the problems of others.”

“One bean-counter had complained about Andrew's expenses, querying whether he could put massages on the taxpayer's tab, and it was pushed through. We’ve been paying for happy endings for Andrew for years.”

“Andrew's room service demands soon came to the attention of Andrew MacGregor Marshall, Reuters' Thailand correspondent who had friends and connections in the hotel:”

“He was beaming, very chipper and jovial”

“From my own experience, and from the many people I've spoken to who know him, it always comes back to the same word – arrogant. People find him self-serving and self-centred. I don't think I've heard anyone say a good word about him, apart from his immediate family. [...] [Following the 1992 Windsor Castle fire] I asked him in a human way, 'How is your mother doing?' He looked affronted and said, 'Her Majesty the Queen you mean.' He made clear I should have used the full title. It's small illustration of how he is absolutely stuck on status.”

“he's such a bad loser, it will create a problem if he doesn't win.”

“arrogant, rude and abrasive”

“Is this a Marie-Antoinette moment for the British monarchy? What first triggered animosity against the queen of France was a slew of excited publications stressing her extravagance and indulgence in flagrant luxury, as well as her alleged sexual decadence (an entirely false claim). Before being guillotined, her name was humiliatingly demoted – just like Andrew's – to "the Widow Capet".”

“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”

“Andrew, unfortunately, exhibited classic symptoms of what is scientifically recognised as the Dunning-Kruger effect, the cognitive bias in which people come to believe that they are smarter and more capable than they really are. The combination of minimal self-awareness and dim wattage leads sufferers of this condition to overestimate their own capabilities. Years of enjoying unearned obeisance to his royal position allowed Andrew to bang on with a combination of overweening self-confidence and unchallenged ignorance. It also made him an easy mark for con men and crooks.”

“It had about 50 or 60 stuffed toys positioned on the bed. And, basically, there was a card the inspector showed us in a drawer, and it was a picture of these bears all in situ on the bed. And the reason for the laminated picture was that, if those bears weren’t put back in the right order by the maids, he would shout and scream and become verbally abusive.”

“I met him [Prince Andrew] several times, including once at a state banquet where after dinner, I and my husband and another Labour cabinet minister had a drink with him, and I have to say the conversation left us slack-jawed with the things that he felt it was appropriate to say.”

“[Explaining why Virginia Giuffre's allegations against him of sexual assault couldn't be believed.] I didn’t sweat at the time because I had suffered what I would describe as an overdose of adrenaline in the Falklands War, when I was shot at ... it was almost impossible for me to sweat.”

“[Explaining why he stayed at the New York home of Epstein, a convicted child sex offender, in 2010.] It was a convenient place to stay... At the end of the day, with the benefit of all the hindsight one can have, it was definitely the wrong thing to do. But at the time, I felt it was the honourable and right thing to do. And I admit fully that my judgment was probably coloured by my tendency to be too honourable but that is just the way it is.”