Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was once said to have been Queen Elizabeth II’s “favourite son” and enjoyed all the trappings of a lavish royal lifestyle – even seen as one of the most popular members of the royal family.
Decades later, Andrew has been stripped of all his former styles and titles by his brother, King Charles. Discussions are underway to remove him from the line of succession, and he has been exiled from his Royal Lodge home and public life entirely.
However, from the outset, it seems Andrew was more of a challenge than his siblings, Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward. It meant his nanny, Mabel Anderson, even gave him a rather unflattering nickname, according to Nigel Cawthorne in his book, The End Of The Monarchy And Epstein.
She called Andrew “Baby Grumpling” due to his temper tantrums and obstinate personality, or occasionally “the young imp”. Nigel wrote: “He was always getting up to mischief, such as removing all the valves from Mabel’s radio or tying the sentries’ shoelaces together.
“In contrast to Charles and Anne, who had been born before their mother became Queen, he had seven nurseries in four palaces, endless sumptuous treats and far more of his mother’s attention.” Andrew was even said to have poured itching powder into Queen Elizabeth’s bed at the Palace.
She was forced to comment, after one prank meant she couldn’t watch the racing on TV at Buckingham Palace, “He is not always a little ray of sunshine about the home.”
As a young boy, Andrew was sent to Heatherdown, a prep school in Ascot, before boarding at Gordonstoun. After leaving school, he became a pilot in the Navy.
The King’s closest supporter, Mabel Anderson
According to the Daily Mail‘s Richard Kay, Mabel was King Charles’s “real mother figure” in his youth, and was the one he confided in when he was homesick at boarding school Gordonstoun. They would have all their meals together at Buckingham Palace and kiss goodnight, according to the paper.
© Getty ImagesAt Christmas, Charles would send a car and a chauffeur to take her to the royal church service at Sandringham. When Mabel retired, Charles handpicked a grace-and-favour estate for her on the royal estate at Windsor, even redecorating it at his own expense.
King Charles’s meaningful visit
When Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last month, Mabel was the first person the King turned to. The monarch, 77, travelled to see Mabel, with the pair enjoying tea together to mark her 100th birthday.
© Getty ImagesCharles was fulfilling a long-standing promise to visit Mabel again and was keen to see her for her birthday, The Telegraph reported. She also received a card and telegram from the monarch, as is customary for UK residents upon reaching their 100th birthday.
The visit came after Andrew was arrested on his 66th birthday at Wood Farm in Sandringham, spending 11 hours in police custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
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