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Buckingham Palace calls in 'alcohol awareness' trainers after boozy Christmas brawl left a maid arrested

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Alcohol Change UK chief executive Richard Piper told Palace staff that more than 20 per cent of the population abstains from alcohol — over three times the proportion of vegetarians.
Alcohol Change UK chief executive Richard Piper told Palace staff that more than 20 per cent of the population abstains from alcohol — over three times the proportion of vegetarians.

A housemaid was arrested and spent a night in a cell after a Buckingham Palace staff Christmas party erupted into a brawl at an All Bar One near the palace in December 2024, with glasses smashed and a punch thrown at a senior courtier. The palace has now brought in charity Alcohol Change UK to run workplace alcohol awareness sessions for royal household staff. Richard Piper, the charity's chief executive, confirmed the royal household had requested the seminars, which cover 'grey area drinking' and how to spot intoxicated colleagues.

Around 50 royal household staff moved on to the bar after an early-evening palace reception in December 2024, and one witness said the level of intoxication that night was unlike anything they had encountered before.

Heavy drinking has long been associated with the palace — Paul Burrell, Princess Diana's former butler, nicknamed it 'the gin palace' in his memoir, describing footmen carrying kettles of gin to senior staff.

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