We can’t be entirely sure of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s reaction at discovering the size 12 boots of the law clomping around on the doorstep of his latest digs in the outer darkness of Sandringham Estate, Norfolk.
But we can take a wild and somewhat informed guess.
Andrew, then a prince of the realm, offered an insight into his royal snootiness at Melbourne Airport more than 20 years ago.
The moment revealed that Andrew, then duke of York, was not keen to accede to the rules required of the rest of us commoners. Not keen at all.
Having indulged in what was considered a “private” visit to Melbourne – and these years later, we are intrigued to imagine what a private visit might have involved in relation to a fellow like Andy – he was collared by security as he was about to board a Qantas jet at Tullamarine, bound for New Zealand.
“Excuse I, your Magnificence,” said the security officer, or words approximately to that effect, which we have made up for effect.
“We’ll be needing to give you a bit of a quick security screening. Won’t take a sec.”
Andrew reared back as if someone had accused him of being a member of the low-born classes who would allow just anyone to inspect his personage, or possibly something even worse.
He flat refused, according to a report in this masthead on October 2, 2005.
“Prince Andrew was prevented from boarding a Qantas jet to New Zealand last Wednesday after refusing to be screened by security guards at Melbourne Airport,” this masthead reported.
“After a tense stand-off, the Duke of York reluctantly agreed to be searched with a hand-held detector. The search took 10 seconds, and he was found to be clear.”
It wasn’t that Andrew was being given the fifth degree in any old crowded security queue, either.
He was at a “special gate”, as might have befitted a prince who hadn’t yet caused the world to be transfixed by, for instance, a TV interview where he declared he couldn’t actually sweat, among other peculiar matters relating, for further instance, to a former pal named Jeffrey Epstein.
The Tullamarine security guards, bless them, weren’t about to be mucked around by Andrew even if he were the Queen’s favourite son.
“Managers and security were called, and it was suggested to the prince that he sit down in the next room and think about it for a while,” a source said at the time.
“He was told he would not be allowed to board the flight unless he agreed to be screened because it was the law. Eventually, he reluctantly agreed.”
Tony Wright is an associate editor and special writer for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
