Prince Andrew 'slept with more than dozen women in first year of marriage', book claims

Prince Andrew “slept with more than a dozen women” in the first year of his marriage to Sarah Ferguson, an explosive book claims.

The biography of the Duke and Duchess of York by historian Andrew Lownie alleges Fergie wanted to be “The One” but enjoyed several affairs of her own with “reckless abandon”. Lownie, who has written several acclaimed books on the royal family, details claims the York’s troubled marriage was riddled with infidelity. Within weeks of their lavish wedding in 1986, Fergie is said to have realised the marriage was a mistake as they had few mutual interests.

And, with Andrew regularly away on Navy duty, it has been claimed that she embarked on numerous flings. It comes after reports of William and Kate Middleton's fears over move with kids after Royal Family 'bad blood'.

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Disgraced Andrew, who was forced to step down from royal duties over his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, allegedly told his new wife early on: “I am a prince, then a naval officer, then a husband.”

Lownie details claims from a former driver who worked for the couple that Andrew slept with more than 12 women before their first anniversary. The author also alleges Andrew has slept with over 1,000 women in his life.

Lownie claims the list includes adult film stars, political figures, and nightclub staff and bartenders. One 20-year-old model alleged: “He wanted me to engage in kinky sexual activity. He had no boundaries. He told me he had an open marriage arrangement with his wife. I felt like he used me for a few days, so he could live his wildest fantasies.”

Lownie also claims that when Andrew represented the crown at the King of Thailand’s Diamond Jubilee in 2006, he demanded more than 40 women be sent to his hotel room.

The book, titled Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, quotes a witness who claims: “Often, as soon as one left, another would arrive.” Some days more than 10 women are said to have gone to the Duke’s hotel room.

The allegations in the book have so far drawn no response from Buckingham Palace or the Yorks’ representatives. Andrew and Sarah enjoyed a whirlwind romance in 1985 and were engaged a year later. Lownie writes that Andrew had been deeply unsettled when his American actress ex-girlfriend Koo Stark married another man.

Fergie, meanwhile, “despaired” of her racing driver boyfriend Paddy McNally’s refusal to propose. While she had been known in royal circles for years, the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip instantly took a dislike to her, it is claimed.

The book quotes the late Queen as saying: “Does that girl never stop talking!” The Duke of Edinburgh “thought she was a girl on the make”. Royal staff also quickly became tired of Fergie’s “relentless demands and her affairs”, it is alleged.

The book claims the couple would return from nights out and demand “staff cook her and guest a meal, even though they had been up since 6.30am”. When she was invited to Highgrove, Charles’s country estate, housekeeper Wendy Berry noticed how the “rather frumpy Sloane” had turned into “a very demanding young madam” who was “obviously loving every moment of her newfound importance”.

Lownie also claims that while Fergie was staying in the French ski resort of Meribel she insisted the maids call her ma’am and curtsey to her at all times. He writes she would tell them to spend hours cooking a meal before deciding to dine out instead.

In 1989, she struck up a romance with American Steve Wyatt and later, when he returned to the US to make a name for himself, she got involved with his Texan pal John Bryan. The births of the Yorks’ two daughters, Beatrice in 1988 and Eugenie the following March, did nothing to save their doomed relationship.

The Duchess struggled with her weight during and after pregnancy and the book claims that, according to a friend, their sex life then ended. The friend said: “Sarah is a sensual woman who needs to be loved and likes to show affection.”

Fergie apparently ignored advice from the late Queen to sever contact with Wyatt after she invited him to a Buckingham Palace event in 1990 to mark the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday, Princess Margaret’s 60th, Princess Anne’s 40th and Andrew’s 30th.

Soon after, she reportedly began the affair with businessman Bryan, who invited her to dinner at a swanky restaurant, less than a minute away from his flat in Chelsea, West London.

Lownie claims they slept together that night, after which Bryan is said to have reflected: “Here she was jumping into bed with me. I couldn’t believe anyone behaved with such reckless abandon.”

Photos of the pair frolicking on holiday made the front page of the Daily Mirror in 1992, but the book claims Andrew made his peace with his wife’s affairs. The marriage did not survive however.

The book quotes a palace insider claiming the Queen “finally lost patience with the Duchess”, and the public humiliation of her son. “It all had to end,” the source added and Andrew was told to divorce the woman he still loved.

The Queen, who had cleared many of Fergie’s debts in the past, agreed to pay off her £300,000 overdraft, provide a home for her and the couple’s daughters, and place £1.4million in trust for the girls.

Fergie was stripped of her HRH title and barred from royal duties.But she and Andrew have remained close and both now live in Andrew’s Royal Lodge mansion at Windsor.

The book claims that in spite of their differences and rollercoaster relationship, “the two need each other”. Lownie quotes a friend as remarking: “Andrew is nothing without a woman.

“He’s sweet, but also rather clunky and gauche. He needs someone who can navigate his life for him.”

Andrew is reported to now understand his “initial neglect of his ex-wife”, leading him to remain loyal to her, despite her behaviour.
In turn, after Andrew’s fall from grace over Epstein, Sarah has proved to be his most loyal supporter. A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of York was contacted for comment.

• Entitled by Andrew Lownie (William Collins, £22) out August 14