Ken Wharfe, who served as Princess Diana’s personal protection officer from 1988 to 1993, describes Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as ‘one of the most arrogant individuals I’ve ever had the misfortune of meeting.’
Wharfe, an SAS-trained Scotland Yard inspector, labels Andrew’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as ‘excruciatingly toxic.’ He encountered Andrew professionally on several occasions during his service.
Recent Arrest Shakes Royal Circles
Andrew, 66, faces scrutiny after authorities arrested him on February 19—his birthday—at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Thames Valley Police questioned him for 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office before releasing him under investigation. He denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged.
The development follows the U.S. Department of Justice’s release of extensive Epstein files in January. Those documents include emails suggesting Andrew shared confidential reports his Southeast Asia trips with Epstein while acting as Britain’s trade envoy.
King Charles III issued a firm statement: ‘Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.’
Titles Stripped in 2025
By October 2025, Andrew relinquished his Duke of York title. King Charles then removed his ‘Prince’ designation and ‘His Royal Highness’ style through Letters Patent. He also forfeited the Order of the Garter, Royal Victorian Order, residency at Royal Lodge, and his £1 million annual allowance. He now goes by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Wharfe’s Insights on Podcast
On the Suddenly Single podcast, Wharfe explains his reluctance to comment earlier: ‘Ever since the Epstein crisis that hit the Royal Family, I’ve taken a personal stand on this. The whole issue… is excruciatingly toxic, and continues to be.’
He notes ongoing media coverage over the past six months, now involving Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. Epstein files reveal emails from 2009 where Ferguson requested £20,000 from Epstein for rent, citing threats from her landlord to contact the press. She denies wrongdoing and divorced Andrew in 1996 but shared Royal Lodge with him until recently.
Wharfe warns: ‘It’s a subject that, as yet, is not finished. It’s only just begun, and who knows where this might end up?’
From Royal Bodyguard to Author
Wharfe protected young Princes William and Harry starting in 1986—they called him ‘Uncle Ken’—before guarding Diana for nearly six years. He became her close confidant, privy to her innermost secrets. He retired from the Metropolitan Police in 2002 after 35 years and received the Victorian Order from Queen Elizabeth II.
Wharfe authored bestsellers Diana: Closely Guarded Secret and Guarding Diana: Protecting the Princess Around the World.
Monarchy’s Challenges
Wharfe views Andrew’s troubles as compounding King Charles’s difficulties, alongside Prince Harry’s self-exile in America. ‘His father, the King himself, is going through a very difficult period of life trying to sort out his younger brother’s problems,’ he states.
He regrets the loss of Harry in reshaping the monarchy: ‘William and Harry, particularly, were to be part of the King’s future design… Unfortunately, he’s lost that third—that Harry third.’
On Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle, Wharfe recalls initial promise: ‘He was a prince of the realm, marrying a woman of mixed heritage, an American, a divorcee.’ Yet, ‘it never worked because I think Meghan never really understood it.’
Wharfe believes Harry remains unsettled in Montecito, California, with Meghan and their children: ‘The fun… has faded and left him somewhat isolated.’
Despite estrangement, Wharfe sees potential: ‘Does he have a role to play in the future of the monarchy? I think he does—quite how he does that, I don’t think he even knows yet.’
Recent rulings may restore Harry’s UK security, a shift Wharfe now supports amid changing global threats.
