Police Reject Prince Andrew’s Secret Request Citing Safety Concerns
During the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London, Prince Andrew sought permission to visit the scene. He was 20 years old and training as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot.
The request and police response
Inspector Peter Prentice of the Royal Protection Unit relayed the prince’s interest. He contacted the negotiators known as “Zulu control” on the fifth day.
Scotland Yard rejected the private approach. Commanders said safety concerns made a visit impossible during active negotiations.
How the plea unfolded
Andrew reportedly asked to “come to lunch” and later offered to attend incognito. He did not wish to meet Commissioner David McNee directly.
John Dellow, the senior officer running operations, viewed the proposal as an unnecessary distraction. He instructed that the royal would be informed once the operation ended.
The siege and the SAS assault
The siege took place at the Iranian embassy on Princes Gate. Six heavily armed gunmen held hostages over six days.
Scotland Yard was negotiating to free 26 hostages. During talks, captors murdered at least one hostage and left a body on the steps.
Final assault and aftermath
On the sixth day the SAS stormed the building in an 11-minute operation. Five of the gunmen were killed.
By the time the assault finished, two hostages had been killed by the captors. The prince arrived at the scene at about 19:55, after the rescue.
Witnesses and reaction
Millions watched the raid live on television. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her husband Denis went to meet the SAS shortly after the action.
A Cabinet official later described a strongly masculine mood among the rescuers. Many of the soldiers had moustaches and drank beer as they celebrated.
- Year: 1980
- Location: Iranian embassy, Princes Gate, London
- Duration: Six days
- Hostages involved: 26
- Gunmen: Six armed attackers
- Casualties among attackers: Five killed
- Hostage deaths: At least two killed
- Prince Andrew’s age then: 20
- Operation length: Approximately 11 minutes
- Prince’s arrival time: About 19:55, after the raid
Filmogaz.com drew these details from Ben Macintyre’s account in his book The Siege. The episode shows how police rejected a royal’s secret request amid active safety concerns.
