Princess Diana’s Disapproval of Prince Andrew and Royal Scandals

The British royal family maintains a carefully curated public image, swiftly addressing any perceived missteps. While recent scrutiny surrounds Prince Andrew’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein, past incidents, such as a seemingly minor photograph of Princess Diana with David Bowie, also prompted intervention from Buckingham Palace.

Diana’s Assessment of Prince Andrew

According to royal biographer Andrew Lownie’s book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, Princess Diana held critical opinions of her brother-in-law, Prince Andrew. She described him as “highly, very noisy and loud,” and sensed “something troubling him.” Marie Claire reports that Diana felt Andrew’s personality “wasn’t for [her],” noting his preference for watching cartoons and videos and characterizing him as “not a doer,” lacking ambition.

Lownie also observed that Andrew’s character was inconsistent, shifting between diligence and rudeness, and possessing a temper similar to his father, Prince Philip. Marie Claire

The Bowie Photograph and Palace Concerns

In 1987, Princess Diana posed for a photograph with singer David Bowie at a concert in Wembley. The seemingly innocuous image caused concern within Buckingham Palace. Photographer Denis O’Regan revealed that the palace requested he not release the photos, fearing they would fuel speculation about Diana’s relationship with James Hewitt. InStyle

O’Regan explained that the palace aimed to minimize potentially damaging publicity, especially given the strained marriage between Diana and Prince Charles and Charles’s relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles. InStyle

Prince Andrew’s Recent Controversies

More recently, Prince Andrew has faced significant scrutiny regarding his association with convicted financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Wikipedia He served as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment from 2001 to 2011, resigning after concerns about his expenses and connections. Wikipedia He stepped back from official duties in 2019 following allegations of sexual assault. Wikipedia

Born on February 19, 1960, Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Wikipedia As of 2026, he is eighth in line to the British throne. Wikipedia