A damaging email sent to multimillionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein not only triggered Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s downfall, but also exposed the former prince’s abiding fondnes for his royal honours.
The 2011 correspondence, in which Andrew restated his backing for the convicted sex trafficker, bore the signature: “A, HRH The Duke of York, KG,” deliberately highlighting his eminent position.
It also appears that Andrew was a perfectionist when it came to royal etiquette – even during the most relaxed social occasions.
After his marriage to Sarah Ferguson ended in 1996, Andrew was introduced by Epstein’s right-hand woman Ghislaine Maxwell to Australian PR executive Emma Gibbs.
While he had an easygoing relationship with “Gibbsy,” as she was known, he reportedly insisted on a far more formal manner from her landlady.
The owner of the luxurious Chelsea property was reportedly “extremely irritated” after being told she must curtsy to the then-prince during his frequent visits.
According to the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden, the “glamorous continental woman,” who had rented one of the four bedrooms in her home to Ms Gibbs, was astonished to learn she was expected to show deference to her royal guest.
“She was very narked off about the fact that she was being told to curtsy in her own home,” a source claimed. “Gibbsy was her lodger. It was absolutely ludicrous, frankly. It really shows that he thought he was above the law.”
Reports suggest the former duke continues to insist on royal protocol at Royal Lodge, where he still resides despite being stripped of his honours by his brother, King Charles.
Celebrity commentator Rob Shuter quotes a member of Andrew’s household staff as saying: “Nothing has changed inside Royal Lodge – the butler still says ‘Your Royal Highness,’ and the staff still bow. Andrew’s made it clear that palace rules don’t apply inside his walls.”
The insider added that Andrew continues to use his title in private: “He insists it’s his birthright – not something the King can erase.”
While “Gibbsy,” now known by her married name Emma Farah, shared only a brief liaison with the divorced prince, she has retained certain royal connections.
During her time working for high-society florist Rob Van Helden, Farah helped create the magnificent jasmine, sweet pea, rose and myrtle archway designed for Princess Beatrice’s wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
The couple walked beneath the floral masterpiece as they left the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor.
Speaking to candlemaker Victoria Cator, Farah reflected: “Having worked for Rob Van Helden for nearly 18 years, I’ve seen some incredible events produced all around the world, but my favourite wedding arch of all is the one we created for HRH Princess Beatrice of York and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.”