Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had a “physical altercation” with one of Elizabeth II’s most senior aides, it has been claimed. The former Duke of York was accused of lashing out at Vice-Adml Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, master of the household, allegedly because he could not accommodate a Pitch@Palace event at Buckingham Palace. His behaviour was considered so concerning that Prince Philip, his late father, reportedly felt obliged to write a letter of apology to Sir Tony. “It was a routine household matter,” a senior member of staff told Robert Hardman, a royal author. “The Duke wanted to have a reception, and there wasn’t any room. It was as simple as that. “Tony said he’d have to wait his turn like anybody else, and the Duke went for him.” According to Mr Hardman, it was “not just an outburst of expletives and a jab of a finger” but what one member of staff described as a “kinetic” blow, which caused astonishment in the royal household. The alleged incident is described in Mr Hardman’s latest book, Elizabeth II, which is …