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Annabel’s, an iconic London nightclub, has long been a beacon for the elite, attracting numerous celebrities such as Princess Diana, Mick Jagger, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Wayne, and Frank Sinatra. Known for its exclusivity and rich history, it has set a high bar for who is welcome through its doors.
However, it appears that even the most renowned socialites can fall out of favor. Recently, it was revealed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson are no longer on the guest list for this famed establishment.
According to a source close to the club, “Sarah and Andrew would be turned away at this point. Their type of notoriety is not what the club needs.” Despite Andrew never having formal membership at the prestigious Mayfair club, he and Sarah had an informal agreement allowing them to visit freely.
This development could lead to some potentially sticky situations, as the couple’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, remain club members and have the privilege of signing in guests. The insider noted that this could make for some awkward encounters at the entrance.
The insider admitted the ban could make things ‘very awkward’ on the door, particularly as the couple’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, are members, and so entitled to sign in guests.
‘There is some trepidation that actually Annabel’s is among the few remaining places the couple might feel they can still go,’ the source added. ‘It’s very delicate but there are a whole web of membership secretaries who can have quiet words with the right people to let it be known to the girls.’
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.