Prince Andrew’s security staff “were so afraid of him that they let a Spanish woman pretending to be his fiancee into the grounds of the Royal Lodge because they didn’t want to upset him by asking if he was expecting guests.”
- Protection expert Philip Grindell said staff were “terrified” of questioning guests
- An intruder pretending to be Prince Andrew’s fiancee was reportedly let in
- The Spaniard, in her 40s, was later placed under the Mental Health Act
- Mr Grindell said the staff did not want to upset the prince by asking him about her
- Former protection officer Paul Page also said he had had similar experiences
Windsor security personnel reportedly let an intruder posing as Prince Andrew’s fiancee into the Royal Lodge because they were “scared” to ask him.
Protection expert Philip Grindell claims security staff didn’t want to “upset” the Duke of York and “were afraid to ask him if anyone was showing up?”.
It is alleged that the intruder, a Spanish woman in her forties, tricked her way into the premises by saying her name was Irene Windsor, she was the prince’s fiancée and that she was there on a date with him. reported the Daily Express.
Speaking at the annual International Security Expo, held at Kensington Olympia, Mr Grindell said Andrew was a “pain in the ass” and an “unpleasant character” to anyone who has worked with him.
Referring to the intruder, Mr Grindell said because the staff did not want to upset the Duke of York by asking him if he was expecting guests, no one questioned the woman, believed her story and let her through the gate.
Protection expert Philip Grindell claims security staff didn’t want to “upset” the Duke of York and were “scared to ask him if anyone was showing up”.
Security guards in Windsor let an intruder pretending to be Prince Andrew’s fiancee into the Royal Lodge (pictured) because they were ‘scared’ to ask him
Former Royal Guard Paul Page, who was also speaking at the fair, said when he heard staff were “terrified” he realized they were in the same position as they were 20 years ago with the prince, where he was “too afraid” to question unidentified female visitors” as the Duke of York would end up “abusing” us to do so.
The intruder was allowed into the Royal Lodge without ID last November, and staff even paid for her taxi, sources say.
The woman walked the grounds before entering the main building and asked where she could find Prince Andrew, who the Express reported was said to be at home at the time.
Another member of staff saw her and alerted police, and maps of the Royal Lodge were found in her bag, along with other royal residences, and a live self-defense key.
At the annual International Security Expo, held at Kensington Olympia, Mr Grindell (pictured) said Andrew was a “pain in the ass” and an “unpleasant character” to anyone who has worked with him.
She was arrested on suspicion of burglary and later placed under the Mental Health Act.
Thames Valley Police said she was released without charge.
Mr Grindell, who founded VIP and celebrity security firm Defuse, worked for the Metropolitan Police for 30 years as a special detective and in counter terrorism for high profile events such as royal and military.
Prince Andrew’s security was reduced in 2020 after he retired from royal duties in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The Privy Purse funds private security at the Royal Lodge.
A PR spokesman for Prince Andrew declined to comment.