Harriet James, a former member of the country band Pearl, TN, reportedly sat opposite the former prince at a dinner and responded by saying "you can't ask me that"

A woman who claims she was seated opposite Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at a dinner has revealed the jaw-dropping personal question he allegedly asked her. Harriet James, a former member of the country band Pearl, TN, made the eye-opening claims in her new memoir, What Harriet Did, which has reportedly surfaced online.

Harriet claims the incident took place more than 20 years ago, when the disgraced former prince was 45. She was 33 at the time and went to a dinner near York with her husband, ex-racehorse trainer Ed James, and friends.

Royal Ascot was held at York Racecourse that year while its traditional setting underwent a £185m revamp.

Andrew was reportedly staying with the couple's friends and they were told to dress in black tie. But despite the formal setting, Harriet was alleged to have been met with behaviour the Mail’s Richard Eden called "Olympian-level crudeness".

Harriet writes: "We were told we had to have dinner with Andrew. He was staying with friends of ours and we were instructed to dress in black tie, in honour of him being royal and all that."

Harriet says Andrew arrived wearing "jeans and a thick weave grey cardigan". She also claimed she was seated opposite the former Duke of York and was confronted with an unwanted question.

"I was put opposite 'Sir' and, as it was a thin table, we were quite close to each other. His opening conversation to me went as follows: 'How many people have you slept with?'"

She claims she replied: "You can't ask me that! How many people have you slept with?" But Andrew was apparently taken aback by her boldness and let out what was described as a "pompous" gasp.

He was reported as saying: "You certainly can't ask me that!"

It follows reports that Andrew was said to have been shown "sympathy" by two members of the Royal Family last month as he made a rare public appearance at the Sandringham Horse Driving Trials.

He was seen close to Marsh Farm, where he now lives on King Charles’ Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's royal editor, claimed on the Palace Confidential podcast that he was "trying to keep a low profile".

She said: "He suddenly popped up at the Sandringham horse trials where the Duchess of Edinburgh was competing in carriage driving.

"The Duke of Edinburgh was there and he [Andrew] was seen in his cart, sunglasses on, trying to keep a low profile, but he was spotted, stayed for a little bit and then went off."

She added: "It shows he's going out and about a little bit but still trying not to be spotted."

Richard Eden also shared his impressions of Andrew's presence, saying: "This is his family. This is his brother and his sister-in-law showing sympathy and solidarity for him."

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been approached for comment.