November 14, 2025 • 8 mins
Before Jeffrey Epstein, before the BBC interview, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s reputation for royal chaos began with a moat and a Meat Loaf. Author Andrew Lownie reveals the moment the prince tried to shove the rock legend into the water during It’s a Royal Knockout—a TV fiasco so bad it made the monarchy a national punchline. Now Andrew’s daughters face scrutiny of their own, with Princess Beatrice’s Saudi photo op drawing fury and Tom Sykes calling King Charles “mad” for giving her royal duties. Meanwhile, oddsmakers are betting on whether Andrew or Fergie will join The Traitors, and Lownie says new witnesses keep coming forward—claiming the Duke’s arrogance could soon send him fleeing the country.
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Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.
Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.
👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! Season 1 is fully available now for everyone. Season 2 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 2 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calorogus Shark Media, Hello and welcome to Palace Intrigue Game
you host Mark Ransas. Long before he lost his titles
and his royal standing, Andrew N. Batten Windsor's reputation for
royal mischief was already well under weigh and remarkably, it
all began with a moat, a meat loaf, and one
(00:24):
of the most disastrous TV specials in royal history. The
year was nineteen eighty seven, and the idea scened on
paper at least harmless fun. Prince Edward, then trying to
forge a career in television, came up with It's a
Royal Knockout, a medieval themed charity game show featuring members
of the royal family competing in costumed challenges alongside celebrities.
(00:49):
The show, filmed in front of a plywood castle at
Alton Towers, quickly descended into chaos. It was a slapstick
spectacle of foam jousting and medieval pageantry that left the
right royal family looking more ridiculous than regal. Watching the
Queen's children and their spouses wobbling around in silly outfits
did little to enhance the dignity of the monarchy. Prince Edward,
(01:11):
who masterminded the event, took the brunt of the fallout,
earning himself the unfortunate nickname Prince Brat, but his siblings
and in laws, Andrew, Princess Anne and Sarah Ferguson, were
all part of the ill fated production, and for Andrew,
the day reportedly ended with a royal tantrum that has
since passed into legend. According to author Andrew Lowney in
(01:34):
his book entitled The Rise and Follow of the House
of York, tensions flared on the set when Andrew decided
that American rock icon Meatloaf was getting a little too
friendly with the Duchess of York. Lowney writes that Andrew
tried to push meat Loaf into a moat after he
felt the singer had taken too great an interest in Ferguson.
Meat Loaf, dressed in a fake suit of armor for
(01:56):
one of the challengers, didn't take kindly to being manhandled
by a prince. The author quotes of the singer is
recalling that Andrew complained, you can't touch me, I'm royal.
Meatloaf's immortal reply, well, you try to push me in
the moat. Jack I don't give a shit who you are.
You're going in the moat. In a later interview with
the Guardian in two thousand and three, the late rock
star confirmed the exchange, saying Ferki wasn't exactly flirting with me,
(02:20):
but she was paying attention to me. And I think
Andrew got a little I could be wrong. I'm just
reading into this. I think he got a little jealous.
Then he added with typical theatrical flare, Oh, the queen
hates me. A leading royal commentator has one that failing
to strip Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie of their royal
titles could lead to scrutiny, tears and abject humiliation for
(02:42):
both women and renewed damage to the monarchy. Daily Mail
columnist Amanda Platel said photographs of Beatrice hosting a tea
party for Saudi investors at the Rich Carlton in Riard,
the site of the Saudis regime twenty seventeen purge of
royals and businessmen, show why the princesses HRH status may
soon become untenable. Platel said Beatrice's Saudi jaunt proves their
(03:07):
HRH status will only end in scrutiny, tears, and their
most likely abject humiliation. In a modern Britain, it is
no longer possible to pursue both royal duty and lucrative
business interests, especially where foreign autocracies are involved. The princesses
have pursued private sector careers, but their proximity too powerful
(03:29):
foreign figures has drawn comparisons to their father's controversial tenure
as the UK's Special Trade Envoy in the two thousands.
When Andrew was accused of blurring the lines between diplomacy
and personal gain, Platel added, as Beatrice should know from
the fate of her parents, you can't immerse yourself in
the world of high finance one day and then represent
the royal family the next, especially at a time of
(03:51):
existential crisis for the monarchy. She warned that both sisters
risk inheriting what she called their parents pig headed obliviousness
to public mood, noting that hosting lavish events for wealthy
Saudi's at a hotel wants notorious for political crackdowns, created
terrible optics In the Royalist Tom Sykes was more emphatic
(04:12):
under the headline King Charles just sent Andrews's daughter out
on a royal hospital job, as he actually lost his mind.
Sikes writes, the King, failing to understand the public don't
ever want to see any member of the York family
ever again, has equally inexplicably made Beatrice a new patron
of outward bound Sikesville's Beatrice should have been lit by
(04:33):
a flickering gaslight, as she declared, like everything was dandy
and normal. I am so grateful for the scientists and
clinicians who took the time today to show me the
advances they are making to reduce the risks to expectant
mums and babies. Sikes tagged that with Charles is trying
to do two things, I suspect burnish his own desire
(04:54):
to be seen as a merciful monarch and to reinforce
the primacy of the blood princesses. Odds makers in the
UK are reportedly taking bets on whether Andrew or Sarah
Ferguson will appear on the next season of The Traitors.
Following their removal from the Royal Lodge and the loss
of their titles, speculation has grown that the former couple
could turn to television for a fresh start or a paycheck.
(05:18):
Bookmakers have listed odds on both Andrew and Sarah joining
the hit reality competition, which features celebrities deceiving and betraying
each other for cash prizes. While Royal insiders have dismissed
the ideas highly unlikely, fans of the show seen intrigued
by the prospect, with social media joking that Andrew won't
(05:38):
need to fake being a traitor one palace just a moment.
Author Andrew Lowney says he is now hearing from two
or three people a day, eager to share new information.
Lonelytold reporters, I'm hearing from protection officers, diplomats, people in
the Navy. The floodgates of opened. A lot of people
(06:01):
who were once off the record now want to be
on the record, and they want to be on the
right side of history. The response, he says, has been
so overwhelming that he is not only preparing an expanded
paperback edition, but also a follow up volume titled untitled
I've just got so much new material and explain good
people are coming forward and adding to the stories. Among
(06:21):
those who have contacted him are a former nanny who
worked for Andrew in the sixties, and a former ambassador
from Kazakhstan. Many of those speaking out, Lowney says, describe
a man who believed himself above reproach and entitled to
act exactly as he pleased, whether at school, in the navy,
or later as a royal adult. Downey added, whether it
(06:42):
was avoiding roll call that Gordonston or skipping duties in
the Navy, he doesn't feel that the rules have ever
applied to him. He lived a charmed life but succumbed
to all the forbidden fruits, and now he's paying the price.
Following his formal loss of royal titles and honors. Last month,
Andrew was said to be spending his time Norfolk, but
could be preparing to relocate abroad. Lowney predicts that the
(07:04):
king's brother may ultimately flee the country if legal proceedings intensify.
I personally don't think he's going to end up in Sandringham,
the author said. I think charges will be brought against
him and he will flee to the Middle East or somewhere,
probably like King Juan Carlos. But that's only me speculating,
of course. Reports last month suggested that Sheik Muhammad bin
(07:25):
Zeid al Nahan, the president of the United Arab Emirates
has offered Andrew accommodation in a luxurious Abu Dhabi palace
featuring six air condition bedrooms, a private geman, and indoor pool.
Lowney believes such a move could quietly close the chapter
on one of the monarchy's most damaging scandals. It would
suit everyone's purposes if Andrew simply disappeared there, he said,
(07:47):
out of sight, out of mind. The author added that
several senior officials who initially denied involvement in his first book,
including figures from the Foreign Office, have since confirmed their
accounts publicly. Once people see the weight of evidence from
reputable sources, Flinney said, I think it will change the
story entirely in the habit. If you'd like to email
(08:08):
us or this is the Palace Intrigue at gmail dot com,
send us a note, let us know if you're enjoying
these second episodes and if you'd like to hear more
or less of certain stories The Palace Intrigue at gmail
dot com. I Mark Francis my thanks to John McDermott,
This is Palace Intrigue and good terms
Calorogus Shark Media, Hello and welcome to Palace Intrigue Game
you host Mark Ransas. Long before he lost his titles
and his royal standing, Andrew N. Batten Windsor's reputation for
royal mischief was already well under weigh and remarkably, it
all began with a moat, a meat loaf, and one
(00:24):
of the most disastrous TV specials in royal history. The
year was nineteen eighty seven, and the idea scened on
paper at least harmless fun. Prince Edward, then trying to
forge a career in television, came up with It's a
Royal Knockout, a medieval themed charity game show featuring members
of the royal family competing in costumed challenges alongside celebrities.
(00:49):
The show, filmed in front of a plywood castle at
Alton Towers, quickly descended into chaos. It was a slapstick
spectacle of foam jousting and medieval pageantry that left the
right royal family looking more ridiculous than regal. Watching the
Queen's children and their spouses wobbling around in silly outfits
did little to enhance the dignity of the monarchy. Prince Edward,
(01:11):
who masterminded the event, took the brunt of the fallout,
earning himself the unfortunate nickname Prince Brat, but his siblings
and in laws, Andrew, Princess Anne and Sarah Ferguson, were
all part of the ill fated production, and for Andrew,
the day reportedly ended with a royal tantrum that has
since passed into legend. According to author Andrew Lowney in
(01:34):
his book entitled The Rise and Follow of the House
of York, tensions flared on the set when Andrew decided
that American rock icon Meatloaf was getting a little too
friendly with the Duchess of York. Lowney writes that Andrew
tried to push meat Loaf into a moat after he
felt the singer had taken too great an interest in Ferguson.
Meat Loaf, dressed in a fake suit of armor for
(01:56):
one of the challengers, didn't take kindly to being manhandled
by a prince. The author quotes of the singer is
recalling that Andrew complained, you can't touch me, I'm royal.
Meatloaf's immortal reply, well, you try to push me in
the moat. Jack I don't give a shit who you are.
You're going in the moat. In a later interview with
the Guardian in two thousand and three, the late rock
star confirmed the exchange, saying Ferki wasn't exactly flirting with me,
(02:20):
but she was paying attention to me. And I think
Andrew got a little I could be wrong. I'm just
reading into this. I think he got a little jealous.
Then he added with typical theatrical flare, Oh, the queen
hates me. A leading royal commentator has one that failing
to strip Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie of their royal
titles could lead to scrutiny, tears and abject humiliation for
(02:42):
both women and renewed damage to the monarchy. Daily Mail
columnist Amanda Platel said photographs of Beatrice hosting a tea
party for Saudi investors at the Rich Carlton in Riard,
the site of the Saudis regime twenty seventeen purge of
royals and businessmen, show why the princesses HRH status may
soon become untenable. Platel said Beatrice's Saudi jaunt proves their
(03:07):
HRH status will only end in scrutiny, tears, and their
most likely abject humiliation. In a modern Britain, it is
no longer possible to pursue both royal duty and lucrative
business interests, especially where foreign autocracies are involved. The princesses
have pursued private sector careers, but their proximity too powerful
(03:29):
foreign figures has drawn comparisons to their father's controversial tenure
as the UK's Special Trade Envoy in the two thousands.
When Andrew was accused of blurring the lines between diplomacy
and personal gain, Platel added, as Beatrice should know from
the fate of her parents, you can't immerse yourself in
the world of high finance one day and then represent
the royal family the next, especially at a time of
(03:51):
existential crisis for the monarchy. She warned that both sisters
risk inheriting what she called their parents pig headed obliviousness
to public mood, noting that hosting lavish events for wealthy
Saudi's at a hotel wants notorious for political crackdowns, created
terrible optics In the Royalist Tom Sykes was more emphatic
(04:12):
under the headline King Charles just sent Andrews's daughter out
on a royal hospital job, as he actually lost his mind.
Sikes writes, the King, failing to understand the public don't
ever want to see any member of the York family
ever again, has equally inexplicably made Beatrice a new patron
of outward bound Sikesville's Beatrice should have been lit by
(04:33):
a flickering gaslight, as she declared, like everything was dandy
and normal. I am so grateful for the scientists and
clinicians who took the time today to show me the
advances they are making to reduce the risks to expectant
mums and babies. Sikes tagged that with Charles is trying
to do two things, I suspect burnish his own desire
(04:54):
to be seen as a merciful monarch and to reinforce
the primacy of the blood princesses. Odds makers in the
UK are reportedly taking bets on whether Andrew or Sarah
Ferguson will appear on the next season of The Traitors.
Following their removal from the Royal Lodge and the loss
of their titles, speculation has grown that the former couple
could turn to television for a fresh start or a paycheck.
(05:18):
Bookmakers have listed odds on both Andrew and Sarah joining
the hit reality competition, which features celebrities deceiving and betraying
each other for cash prizes. While Royal insiders have dismissed
the ideas highly unlikely, fans of the show seen intrigued
by the prospect, with social media joking that Andrew won't
(05:38):
need to fake being a traitor one palace just a moment.
Author Andrew Lowney says he is now hearing from two
or three people a day, eager to share new information.
Lonelytold reporters, I'm hearing from protection officers, diplomats, people in
the Navy. The floodgates of opened. A lot of people
(06:01):
who were once off the record now want to be
on the record, and they want to be on the
right side of history. The response, he says, has been
so overwhelming that he is not only preparing an expanded
paperback edition, but also a follow up volume titled untitled
I've just got so much new material and explain good
people are coming forward and adding to the stories. Among
(06:21):
those who have contacted him are a former nanny who
worked for Andrew in the sixties, and a former ambassador
from Kazakhstan. Many of those speaking out, Lowney says, describe
a man who believed himself above reproach and entitled to
act exactly as he pleased, whether at school, in the navy,
or later as a royal adult. Downey added, whether it
(06:42):
was avoiding roll call that Gordonston or skipping duties in
the Navy, he doesn't feel that the rules have ever
applied to him. He lived a charmed life but succumbed
to all the forbidden fruits, and now he's paying the price.
Following his formal loss of royal titles and honors. Last month,
Andrew was said to be spending his time Norfolk, but
could be preparing to relocate abroad. Lowney predicts that the
(07:04):
king's brother may ultimately flee the country if legal proceedings intensify.
I personally don't think he's going to end up in Sandringham,
the author said. I think charges will be brought against
him and he will flee to the Middle East or somewhere,
probably like King Juan Carlos. But that's only me speculating,
of course. Reports last month suggested that Sheik Muhammad bin
(07:25):
Zeid al Nahan, the president of the United Arab Emirates
has offered Andrew accommodation in a luxurious Abu Dhabi palace
featuring six air condition bedrooms, a private geman, and indoor pool.
Lowney believes such a move could quietly close the chapter
on one of the monarchy's most damaging scandals. It would
suit everyone's purposes if Andrew simply disappeared there, he said,
(07:47):
out of sight, out of mind. The author added that
several senior officials who initially denied involvement in his first book,
including figures from the Foreign Office, have since confirmed their
accounts publicly. Once people see the weight of evidence from
reputable sources, Flinney said, I think it will change the
story entirely in the habit. If you'd like to email
(08:08):
us or this is the Palace Intrigue at gmail dot com,
send us a note, let us know if you're enjoying
these second episodes and if you'd like to hear more
or less of certain stories The Palace Intrigue at gmail
dot com. I Mark Francis my thanks to John McDermott,
This is Palace Intrigue and good terms
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