Ernst August of Hanover, the estranged husband of Caroline of Monaco, found himself embroiled once again in controversy following his involvement in disruptive behavior at Bistroman Atelier, a well-known restaurant in Madrid.
According to reports, including one from Vanitatis, the incident transpired during his recent visit where he dined with his partner, Claudia Stilianopoulos. What began as what should have been an enjoyable night quickly devolved.
Stéphane Del Rio, the restaurant's owner, detailed the events on social media, emphasizing the troubling nature of the prince's behavior on this occasion, which was reflective of previous visits. "He breaks glasses, throws them at the waiters, insults the staff and other clients, shouts, attacks the medical staff who come to treat him for choking, and falls down drunk," Del Rio remarked, painting the picture of chaos resulting from the prince’s well-documented struggle with alcohol.
This recent altercation marked the third visit the prince has made to this establishment, and Del Rio noted disturbingly similar patterns of behavior each time, prompting serious concern. His time at the restaurant ended with him being escorted out after repeated disruptive incidents, raising questions about his future patronage.
Following the late evening's events, Stilianopoulos took to TripAdvisor to express her mixed feelings about the incident. While she praised the restaurant's culinary offerings, she lamented the environment created by her dining companion's unruly actions. She mentioned, "Good food. Human quality 0. I dined with a diabetic friend who had a sugar crisis and, when he recovered, he fainted after choking." This comment underscored the gravity of the situation beyond mere misconduct, shedding light on distressing medical emergencies undermining the dinner experience.
Claudia's post recounted her efforts during the emergency when she executed the Heimlich maneuver on her friend, who fortunately revived and walked out before the arrival of medical help. Her review continued with serious accusations against the media's portrayal of the night, stating, "The owner called me to say not to return, as the first time he broke a glass and the second time he was rude." This sentiment of feeling unwelcome exemplified the overall reaction from the establishment.
Stéphane Del Rio visibly reacted to Stilianopoulos’s remarks, mentioning via social media how he found her statements misleading and recounts from the night far exceeded realities. Specifically, restaurant owners like Del Rio cannot overlook repeated disturbances from known patrons, leading them to take necessary measures to maintain order and integrity.
Beyond this incident, Ernst August has been the subject of scrutiny for years, often making headlines for misbehavior linked to excessive drinking. It raises the question of whether certain individuals, especially those with public profiles, should be held accountable for their actions when they disrupt the experiences of others. Such behavior, especially during social outings, extends beyond personal struggles and affects those surrounding them.
The fallout from events of this nature begs to ask: How does one's celebrity status impact their accountability? For now, it seems, the establishment has taken its stand by refusing future service for the 70-year-old prince, sending a strong message about the restaurant's standards of conduct.
Continuing the public conversation around this story, it raises broader issues about patron behavior, personal responsibility, and how certain troubling patterns can repeatedly endanger not just one's standing but also the comfort and safety of others around them. Whether Ernst August of Hanover acknowledges his actions or not, consequences loom large, shaping not only public perceptions but also the dynamics of hospitality businesses grappling with difficult patrons.
With each incident, the narrative surrounding Ernst August continues to develop, leaving many to contemplate the intersection between privilege, celebrity, and behavioral expectations. The restaurant industry, alongside patrons, increasingly demands respectful and considerate environments, regardless of one's status, highlighting the very essence of what it means to dine out and share communal spaces.