How Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was proven wrong by British spies

The British domestic intelligence service MI5 had a specific group that concentrated on monitoring the royal family, revealed author James Whitaker in his book "Diana Vs Charles" after the taped calls of the Prince of Wales (currently King Charles III), the then Duke of York (Andrew) and their separated wives as well as other key royals were published.

In his 1993 book, the veteran journalist wrote that the royals were closely monitored for some years.

"MI5, which is split into small cells called IGUs (Intelligence Gathering units), has a specific group that concentrates on monitoring the royal family. It's existence was confirmed by former MI6 officer James Rusbridger in 1993, and other sources suggest that it is made up of six men who mount a round-the-clock surveillance of calls passing through all royal switchboards," wrote Whitaker.

Referring to sources present at a lunch at the Duke and Duchess of York's home, Sunninghill Park, in the spring of 1992, the author wrote that a discussion arose over MI5's clandestine activities.

The duke, a serving naval officer and knowledgeable about military security, queried whether MI5 would dare bug his family.

The sources said the then Duke of York, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, thought it was impossible both as a notion and as a reality.

However, the publication of tapped calls between Charles and Camilla and Diana and her lover James Gilbey (known as Squidgy tapes) as well as disclosure of a row on the telephone between Andrew and Sarah made him change his mind.