A memoir published online has brought renewed attention to Prince Andrew's past conduct, detailing an alleged inappropriate question posed to a dinner party guest in 2005. Harriet James, author of "What Harriet Did," recounts meeting the Duke of York at a dinner near York while Ascot Racecourse was undergoing redevelopment.
According to James, attendees were instructed to wear black tie in honor of the royal guest. However, Prince Andrew reportedly arrived in jeans and a cardigan. James states that at dinner, the Duke of York's opening question to her was, "How many people have you slept with?"
James, a former lead singer for the country band Pearl, TN, responded by asking the Duke of York the same question. His alleged reply was a "pompous" gasp, stating, "You certainly can't ask me that!"
The anecdote has surfaced amid ongoing public scrutiny of Prince Andrew, though the memoir focuses on this specific 2005 dinner party. Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, have reportedly shown sympathy for their brother in recent times, having been seen chatting with him at the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials. The details from James's memoir, however, raise questions about whether such sympathy can endure further disclosures of the Duke's behavior.