Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s bizarre water drinking habit that worried the late Queen

The secrets of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s private life have been laid bare in Robert Hardman’s new book, Elizabeth II.

Bombshell allegations include reports of a physical fight with one of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s closest aides – but one particular detail from the royal expert’s new tome has piqued royal fans’ interest.

In the serialisation of his new book, published in The Mail on Sunday, Hardman claims that Andrew’s “childlike tendencies” in terms of his eating and drinking habits hint at more deep-rooted issues.

“He never drank alcohol and always stuck to room-temperature water,” a friend told the author. “Fair enough, but I once asked him why and he answered like a child: ‘I tasted it once when I was a teenager and I didn’t like it.’ That’s why the Queen would always worry about him.”

While Andrew was allegedly very particular about his tepid water, he was steadfast in his resolution to avoid booze. “He sometimes went to nightclubs, but he did not drink, he did not take drugs,” the book further states.

© Getty Images

This corroborates the disgraced royal’s own statement. “I haven’t got the head for it,” Andrew previously told The Evening Standard when asked why he didn’t drink alcohol.

Despite being teetotal, in November 2025, a report emerged of the disgraced royal having a crate of champagne delivered to his former home, Royal Lodge.

Andrew is often said to have been the late Queen’s favourite son, but the new book alleges she was worried about how “vulnerable” he might appear to outsiders. 

© Getty Images

Further allegations

The book also alleges that King Charles’ brother lashed out at one of the late Queen’s closest aides, Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, because he could not accommodate a Pitch@Palace event at Buckingham Palace.

The former Duke of York’s behaviour was reportedly so concerning that his father Prince Philip reportedly felt obliged to write a letter of apology to Sir Tony.

Hardman writes that it was “not just an outburst of expletives and a jab of a finger”, but rather a “kinetic” blow, causing astonishment among the royal household.

Lying low

© Getty Images

Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on 19 February 2026 and has been holed up at his temporary home, Wood Farm, ever since his eviction from Royal Lodge in February.

The disgraced royal missed the royal Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, on 5 April, as did his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.

The girls made “alternative plans” after discussing the decision with their uncle, King Charles, HELLO! understands. 

While the monarch has reportedly refused to visit Andrew, who he stripped of his titles in November last year following renewed links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, his brother Prince Edward is said to have visited him at the Sandringham Estate over Easter.

According to The Sun, the Duke of Edinburgh, 62, visited Andrew to have a “quiet word” about finally moving into his permanent home in exile, Marsh Farm. 

Edward and his wife, Duchess Sophie, were due to stay at Wood Farm – Andrew’s temporary residence – this week as usual during Easter, but were forced to sleep in the main house instead.

FINAL TICKETS FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II EVENT

Come celebrate the late Queen’s centenary with us this April at our exclusive event! Our Royal Editor, Emily Nash, and author Robert Hardman will be sharing never-before-heard stories about the beloved monarch in an intimate setting in London — so if you’d like to join us in the room (and go home with a luxury goodie bag), now’s the time to book. Tickets are almost sold out! 

What’s included:

• An intimate chat and Q&A with our royal experts in a beautiful London setting
  
• A first listen to an extract from Robert’s new book Elizabeth II on publication day
• A luxury goodie bag of beauty brands loved by Queen Elizabeth II herself 
• FREE tea, coffee and pastries on arrival!

For more details and to purchase your ticket, click the button below. We can’t wait to see you there.