Several former Buckingham Palace employees and a former Mirror reporter have revealed details about the unusual nature of Prince Andrew’s bedroom. The bedroom in question was located at Buckingham Palace, where the prince previously lived before moving to Royal Lodge in Windsor. According to former employees, including a maid named Charlotte Briggs, Prince Andrew had 72 teddy bears on his bed, which had to be lined up in size order. The biggest teddies were placed at the back, and the rest were arranged in descending order of size. His two favorite teddies were placed on mahogany thrones at his bedside. Royal author Ingrid Seward claimed that even Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, slept among the teddies during their marriage.
In addition to the teddy bears, former royal protection officer Paul Page revealed details about a handwritten guide that instructed staff on how to arrange toys and other items in Prince Andrew’s room. The guide included instructions for two toy hippos, a black panther, and bears, as well as three cushions named ‘Daddy’, ‘Ducks’, and ‘Prince’. The guide also specified where to place blankets, five toys, and a fur with ribbons that hung off the side of the bed. According to Paul, the instructions were laminated and titled “DOY bed: Points for turn down & making the bed”, with Prince Andrew keeping the accompanying sketch close to his bed while at the Palace.
Former Mirror reporter Ryan Parry shared his unique experience of working at Buckingham Palace in 2003. He had used bogus references to get a job there and uncovered a running joke among household staff involving a stuffed monkey, which he placed in unusual locations. Parry was able to walk unchecked through Prince Andrew’s private apartment during his two months of secret employment, highlighting security vulnerabilities. The stuffed monkey, a mascot of a TV program, was humorously left in places like the jaws of a stuffed leopard.
The revelations about Prince Andrew’s bedroom come at a time when his infamous BBC Newsnight interview is being dramatized in a new Netflix film called “Scoop”. The film shows how the BBC team secured the interview that ultimately led to the Duke of York’s withdrawal from royal duties. Actor Rufus Sewell portrays Prince Andrew, and the film recreates parts of the interview conducted by Emily Maitlis, played by Gillian Anderson. These behind-the-scenes insights into Prince Andrew’s life shed light on his unique preferences and have sparked curiosity among the public. The teddy bears and other peculiar items in his bedroom provide a glimpse into the personal life of a member of the royal family that is often shielded from public view.
The bizarre details about Prince Andrew’s bedroom reveal the eccentricities and idiosyncrasies of a royal figure whose public image has been tarnished by controversy. While the teddy bears and handwritten instructions may seem unusual to some, they reflect the prince’s personal preferences and habits in his private space. The revelations from former Palace employees and a reporter who worked undercover highlight the challenges and intricacies of serving members of the royal family. These insights invite further scrutiny into the lives of royals and the constraints and expectations they face in their public and private lives. Despite the controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, these revelations humanize him to some extent, showing that he, too, has personal quirks and preferences like anyone else.
