Prince Andrew believes backlash from the public is 'deeply unfair', royal expert claims

A royal expert says the former Duke of York believes people have unfairly turned on him despite his arrest last month

00:30, Thu, Mar 5, 2026 Updated: 00:36, Thu, Mar 5, 2026

An individual dressed in a distinctive black and white robe with a golden emblem is seated, gazing contemplatively into the dist

Royal expert Andrew Lownie stated that the former Duke of York still "thinks he's anointed" (Image: PA)

Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, feels it's "deeply unfair people have turned on him," according to a royal expert.

Last month, the ex-Duke of York became the first member of the British royal family to be arrested in almost 400 years. Despite being released pending further investigation, the arrest has intensified scrutiny of the father of two following the recent release of the Epstein files.

However, Andrew, who denies any wrongdoing, is reportedly upset with public sentiment. Royal expert Andrew Lownie stated that the former Duke of York still "thinks he's anointed - that it's deeply unfair people have turned on him.

"He [Andrew] has been pampered all his life, living in this bubble. Status is everything to him - it's his only sense of identity. They thought they could operate like this unnoticed. They're clearly deeply involved in exploiting their royal status."

This comes as Andrew is reported to have requested to terminate his lease on the East Lodge, a £13,000-a-year Grade II-listed cottage near Sunninghill Park in Berkshire. The property, close to his previous residence in Sunninghill Park, is the second within the Crown Estate to be relinquished by the King's brother after he left Royal Lodge in late 2025.

However, in a conversation with PEOPLE, Mr Lownie emphasised that the ex-Royal Navy helicopter pilot still "thinks he is anointed."

He suggested this attitude has created difficulties for Andrew's family, including his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Mr Lownie added: "They're (Beatrice and Eugenie) caught between a rock and a hard place over loyalty to their parents and their future."

Andrew was released following 11 hours of interrogation at Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk. The father of two was seen reclining in his Range Rover after being chauffeured home from the police station.

An individual is seen standing beside a white truck at the entrance of a property, with a gate and a pink building visible in th

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: A removals van arrives at the entrance to the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, following his move to the Sandringham Estate on February 04, 2026 in Windsor, England. Three million new documents were released by the United States Department of Justice under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which included images and emails related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

At the time, Mr Lownie told The Guardian: "Andrew still can't see what the problem is. He thinks he's been hard done by. He's obsessed with other details - whether he can take his horses up to Norfolk, who's going to get the dogs, and where he's going to park his car."

The former duke, who strongly denies any misconduct, was labelled "one of the most arrogant individuals" this week by Princess Diana's ex-bodyguard, who had several encounters with him.

Ken Wharfe, a SAS-trained Scotland Yard inspector who served as Diana's personal protection officer from 1988 to 1993, stated: "I did, on a few occasions, have dealings with him in a professional capacity - and I found him to be one of the most arrogant individuals I've ever had the misfortune of meeting."