ROBERT HARDMAN: Andrew hit Vice Admiral in row over charity event

There was this appalling moment where he actually punched the Master of the Royal Household. It's an extraordinary story that I go into in some detail in the book.

'There's a very distinguished Admiral, Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, Master of the Royal Household. Andrew wants to have an event for his Pitch at the Palace charity.

'Andrew says, I want this room and Sir Johnstone-Burt says actually, they are all fully booked but I will see what I can do.

'He then goes, 'no I want this', not taking no for an answer. This ends with Andrew actually hitting the Master of the Royal Household. It would be court martial stuff in the Royal Navy.'

Hardman claimed that news of the embarrassing altercation was 'raised up the chain of command', getting the attention of the Lord Chamberlain, Prince Philip and ultimately, the late Queen.

Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt remains a 'very popular figure' in Palace circles, Hardman noted, and continues to serve as Master of the Household under King Charles to this day.

'When the Queen hears about it, she's not remotely surprised', Hardman alleged.

'Prince Philip writes a letter of apology to the Master. Prince Andrew, I am told, wrote a very mealy mouthed, not quite apology.

'I think we can understand where the Queen's sympathy lay because not long afterwards, the Master got a knighthood.'