For decades, Annabel’s has held the title of London’s most exclusive nightclub, drawing celebrities and high-profile figures such as Princess Diana, Mick Jagger, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Wayne, and Frank Sinatra through its doors.
However, the renowned venue has recently decided that two of its former patrons, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, are no longer welcome.
A source close to the club revealed, “At this point, Sarah and Andrew would be turned away. The kind of notoriety they bring is not what the club wants.”
Although Andrew has never been an official member of the prestigious Mayfair club, which charges £3,750 annually, the insider explained, “He and Sarah have always enjoyed an informal arrangement that allowed them to visit freely.”
The source acknowledged that this new restriction could lead to uncomfortable situations at the entrance, especially since the couple’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, are members who have the privilege of signing in guests.
“There’s some concern that Annabel’s might be one of the few places the couple still feels they can visit,” the insider continued. “It’s a sensitive issue, but the membership secretaries can quietly inform the right people, including the daughters, if necessary.”
The ban will come as a blow to Andrew given his long links to the venue. He had even intended to have his stag do there in 1986, but moved it at the last minute after the press got wind of the plans. Sarah and Diana – unaware of the change – arrived dressed as police officer stripograms, intending to gatecrash the party.
Andrew celebrated his 30th birthday there in 1990 but has famously – and humiliatingly – been turned away before. A doorman refused him entry later that decade for arriving in an open-necked shirt and jeans, in defiance of the club’s strict dress code.
Andrew and Sarah are reportedly ‘no longer welcome’ at London’s most exclusive nightclub Annabel’s – with staff being told that the scandal-hit couple should no longer be allowed inside
Annabel’s, which is based in Mayfair and charges £3,750-a-year for membership, has been frequented by the likes of Princess Diana, Mick Jagger, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Wayne and Frank Sinatra over the years
The ban extends to the four sister venues also owned by ‘king of Mayfair’ Richard Caring’s Birley Group, including Mark’s – famous for its cigar terrace – and Harry’s Bar.
The source added: ‘Both Annabel’s and Mark’s have very public facing entrances, so it would not be a great look for the Birley Group to have Andrew or Sarah pictured outside.’ In 2018, the couple were pictured arriving at Mark’s Club on an intimate dinner date and in 2023 Princess Eugenie celebrated her birthday there with her mother, sister and brother-in-law Edo Mapelli Mozzi.
Last year, Andrew was pictured by The Mail on Sunday leaving Harry’s Bar, having apparently lunched with his friend and ex-business partner, billionaire sports tycoon Johan Eliasch.
Annabel’s was founded in 1963 by impresario Mark Birley, who named it after his then-wife Lady Annabel. It soon became Mayfair’s most glamorous late-night haunt, a favourite party venue of the late Princess Margaret and famously the only nightclub the late Queen Elizabeth ever attended.
A source close to the company confirmed that Andrew would not be welcome.
Last week Sarah and her daughters were notably absent from the annual party unveiling Annabel’s extravagant festive front door.
This year’s theme is Narnia, with the entrance on Berkeley Square transformed into an ornate wardrobe, with doors opening to reveal a winter realm of snow-dusted trees and icicles – with a lion fiercely guarding the front door.
Maybe that will be enough to deter Andrew, as he lays low at Royal Lodge, Windsor, in preparation for his move to his exile cottage in Sandringham, Norfolk, early in the New Year.
