Princess Diana's Former Bodyguard Says Ex-Prince Andrew Is "One of the Most Arrogant" People He's Ever Met

Ken Wharfe called Andrew "excruciatingly toxic."

Ken Wharfe holding a copy of his book about Princess Diana; Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wearing a suit and tie
(Image credit: Getty Images)

As one of Princess Diana’s close confidantes, her ex-bodyguard, Ken Wharfe, witnessed more behind-the-scenes than many palace employees ever would. The former Metropolitan Police Service officer worked with the late royal and her children between 1986 and 1993, and in a new interview, Wharfe says Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is “toxic” to the royal brand.

“I did, on a few occasions, have dealings with him in a professional capacity,” he said of the former Duke of York on the “Suddenly Single” podcast (via the Daily Mail). “And I found him to be one of the most arrogant individuals I've ever had the misfortune of meeting.”

Wharfe noted he'd kept comments about Andrew to himself until now, sharing, “Ever since the Epstein crisis that hit the Royal Family, I've taken a personal stand on this.” However, he shared that Andrew’s association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has cast a shadow on the Royal Family—and the revelations have “only just begun.”

Ken Wharfe walking with Princess Diana next to a car

Ken Wharfe is pictured with Princess Diana in 1992.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

“The whole issue of the Duke of York, as he was, and now Mountbatten-Windsor, is excruciatingly toxic, and continues to be,” Wharfe said. “There isn't a day now, in the last six months, where there hasn't been a story surrounding the Duke of York, Windsor's association with Epstein, which has now brought into contact his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.”

Andrew, who formerly worked as a U.K. trade envoy, was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office after emails reportedly show he shared confidential documents with Epstein.

“It's a subject that, as yet, is not finished,”Wharfe added. 'It's only just begun, and who knows where this might end up?'

Ex-Prince Andrew ducking down in the back of a car after his arrest

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is pictured leaving police custody on February 19.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Entitled author Andrew Lownie also weighed in on the former Duke of York's arrogance in a recent interview with People.

"Status is everything to him—it’s his only sense of identity," Lownie told the magazine, adding that despite his misdoings, Andrew "thinks he’s anointed—that it’s deeply unfair people have turned on him."

Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.