Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 24, 2025 · Entertainment

Regal Rudeness: Unveiling the Royal Family's Most Shocking Behavior!

Margaret had a 'slightly sadistic streak' which meant she could be 'extremely demanding' and 'bad-tempered' towards her staff

The Royal Family's Rudest Behavior: A Scandalous History

The British monarchy is notorious for its strict protocol and etiquette, but it seems that even the most respected members of the royal family can't resist showing their true colors when they think no one is looking. From Princess Margaret's sadistic streak to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's alleged bullying tactics, we've got the juiciest gossip on the royals' rudest behavior.

Princess Margaret: The Queen's Troubled Sister

Princess Margaret was known for her regal beauty, but her pampered life didn't always reflect well in her behaviour

You might think that being a princess would make you immune to stress and anxiety, but for Princess Margaret, it was quite the opposite. Her "slightly sadistic streak" made her notoriously demanding and bad-tempered towards her staff, according to royal author Tom Quinn. In his book "Yes Ma'am," Quinn reveals that Margaret's tantrums were legendary, with one former staffer describing her as having a "reputation for being extremely demanding and bad-tempered."

But it wasn't just the staff who suffered at Margaret's hands – she also had a tendency to berate her sister, Queen Elizabeth II. And if that weren't enough, her husband Lord Snowdon was no better, with one radio presenter describing him as "spectacularly rude" during an interview.

Lord Snowdon: The Prince Who Thought He Was Above the Law

Margaret with her husband - Lord Snowdon - in 1960. Like husband, like wife, Lord Snowdon, who was married to Margaret for 18 years before the couple divorced in 1978, also had a reputation for being rude

It's clear that Lord Snowdon didn't exactly have a high opinion of himself, and it shows in his behavior towards others. During a 2020 documentary about Princess Margaret, Fern Britton shared her own experiences with the earl, describing him as "the most spectacularly rude and uncooperative interviewee" she'd ever met.

And it's not just personal anecdotes – there are also reports of Lord Snowdon's behavior on public radio. During an appearance on the BBC's Great Lives, he was described as being bored and disinterested in his guest, Alec Issigonis. It's hard to imagine how someone with such a bad attitude made it through life without causing more chaos.

Prince Andrew: The Spoiled Brat

Prince Andrew in April. Today, Andrew's reputation is in tatters but even as a young child, the late Queen's favourite son was known as a troublesome member of the family

You might think that growing up as part of the royal family would be a privilege, but for Prince Andrew, it was more like a recipe for disaster. His lack of discipline and boundaries led to some pretty embarrassing antics, including putting itching powder in his mother's bed and tying the shoelaces together of a member of the Queen's Guard.

But it wasn't just pranks – Andrew's behavior towards staff was also allegedly quite rude. One former staffer described him as "a bloody nuisance" who would order people around without any consideration for their feelings or well-being. And let's not forget his infamous tantrum over a fillet of beef, which left the cook in tears.

Sarah Ferguson: The Duchess Who Couldn't Behave

A young Prince Andrew. Writing in his unauthorised biography about the Duke of York, author Andrew Lownie described Andrew as 'the classic spoiled brat'

It seems that Prince Andrew's behavior was contagious – his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson also had a reputation for being difficult and rude towards staff. One aide described her as prone to "tantrums" during car journeys, leaving everyone else feeling miserable. It's clear that the royal family's lack of discipline and boundaries can have some pretty far-reaching consequences.

Prince Philip: The Duke Who Lost His Cool

Even the most respected members of the royal family can't resist showing their true colors when they're under pressure. During a photocall for the Battle of Britain, Prince Philip was caught on camera telling a photographer to "just take the f** picture." It's hard to imagine how someone with such a short fuse made it through life without causing more chaos.

Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in 1986. Like her former husband, Fergie was also known for her rude behaviour towards staff. Lownie wrote that her 'tantrums kept staff turnover high'

But despite his occasional outbursts, Prince Philip is often described as being polite and considerate towards palace staff. Unlike some of his relatives, he seems to have a bit more humility and self-awareness. As one actor who played him in the Netflix series The Crown put it, "He's the one they all love" because he's a "man of the people."

Wallis Simpson: The Duchess Who Wasn't Welcome

Not everyone is welcome at the royal family, as Wallis Simpson learned to her cost. Her reputation for being harsh and dominating was well-known, even back in the 1930s when she married Edward VIII. One biographer described her as "abominably rude," while another wrote that she treated Prince Edward like a child who needed constant supervision.

Despite his gaffes, unlike Andrew and other royals, Philip was polite towards palace staff

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: The Couple Who Thought They Were Above Protocol

It's clear that some members of the royal family think they're above protocol – but it seems that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are among them. Since their decision to step down as working royals, there have been numerous reports of their alleged bullying behavior towards staff.

One former staffer described Meghan as "Duchess Difficult," claiming that she would belittle and terrify people around her. And let's not forget the infamous tiaragate incident, which saw the couple clash with Angela Kelly, the Queen's personal adviser for her wardrobe.

Wallis Simpson in the 1950s. Royal biographer Philip Ziegler described her as 'abominably rude'

King Charles III: The Monarch Who Demands Perfection

As the new King of England, it seems that Charles is still getting into the swing of things – or should we say, not quite getting into it? There have been reports of his high standards and perfectionism causing staff shortages and resignations at Highgrove, his beloved garden.

One former gardener described being summoned to the palace for a meeting with Charles, only to be left in a waiting room without even a thank-you note. It's clear that some members of the royal family still think they can get away with treating people like dirt – but it looks like those days are numbered.

Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as working royals the couple have been dogged by claims they were difficult to work with and downright rude to members of staff

As we've seen from these examples, the British monarchy is far from perfect – and sometimes, their behavior towards staff is downright scandalous. But with the rise of social media and the digital age, it's becoming harder for them to keep up appearances.

Meghan on her wedding day. Her choice of headwear caused 'tiaragate' on the run-up to her wedding

Harry and Meghan in 2018. Before the couple had even walked down the aisle they were already ruffling feathers

King Charles III in the garden, which is his pride and joy, at Highgrove in June 2019

King Charles III, who travels with a truck full of his furniture when he visits friends for the weekend, sat at his desk in Buckingham Palace