EXCLUSIVE: Unholy row erupts as a palace priest ‘pushes’ a lady steward and takes plants from the Easter garden display for himself

Presiding over the magnificent Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace, the Reverend Canon Anthony Howe occupies a distinguished position.

The double Oxford graduate describes himself online as ‘Deputy Priest in Ordinary to His Majesty the King – one of the body of clergy that ministers to the spiritual needs of the monarch’.

But an unholy row has been brewing over the Royal Household’s churchman at Hampton Court.

Father Howe, 51, had to be spoken to after ‘pushing’ an ageing female steward out of the vestry – and took some plants from the Easter garden display for his own use, then failed to own up when told about their disappearance.

Now the chaplain, who lives in a large ‘grace and favour’ apartment in the palace, has gone off sick over the summer, with a series of chapel functions cancelled as a result.

But an unholy row has been brewing over the Royal Household’s churchman at Hampton Court (pictured)

The chapel at the palace in south-west London was built in the 16th century by Cardinal Wolsey, then given its vaulted ceiling by Henry VIII. It was modernised by Sir Christopher Wren on commission from Queen Anne in 1710.

Yet all is not well. Speaking anonymously, a disgruntled regular worshipper said: ‘Father Howe’s conduct and behaviour towards some members of the congregation and others are not such as one would expect from a priest.

‘The chapel’s musical activities seem… more important to him than spiritual matters.’

Father Howe, who earned degrees first in music then theology from Oxford, previously served as vicar of Christ Church in Staincliffe, West Yorkshire, where he remained for nine years. There an act of charity ended awkwardly after he allowed homeless Robert Metcalfe, then 34, to stay the night in a spare bedroom in the vicarage.

The next morning he gave him £10 and a lift to the bus station. But Metcalfe had stolen a key to the vicar’s car, and sneaked back and drove off in it, leading to 20 weeks in jail.

The vicar then moved to the chapel at Hampton Court, one of the handful of ‘Royal Peculiars’ in the gift of the monarch, rather than lying within any diocese.

The disgruntled worshipper, who claims to be one of a number of unhappy faithful, said: ‘The essential problem is that he can have very little regard for human feelings. And what should be the straw that breaks the camel’s back came this Easter.

‘The woman who arranges the flowers created an Easter Garden… in the chapel, where it was agreed it would remain until Ascension Day. So she was dismayed to then discover some of the plants and flowers had been removed – when she reported this matter to the chaplain he did not react.

‘But it then emerged that the verger had seen him taking the items, and the chaplain eventually admitted he had wanted them for his own garden. It was awful.’

Describing the earlier incident, the source added: ‘A long-standing worshipper was doing a stint as a steward, and was in the vestry.

‘But the chaplain does not seem to like stewards going the vestry. He told her he wanted to be there privately, she was remonstrating – he ended up pushing her out into the chapel. Complaints were made to the management of Historic Royal Palaces, who pay his wages.’

Contacted by the Daily Mail, Father Howe said: ‘I’m afraid I’m not able to comment. I’m off on sick leave.’ 

A spokesman for Historic Royal Palaces declined to comment.

But a source close to the chaplain said: ‘The volunteer in the Easter display incident was not left out of pocket. The “shoving” incident was resolved and not taken further. Other concerns raised about Father Howe, including his use of his apartments, have been considered and found without merit, and malicious. There is no ongoing investigation into any aspect of his conduct.’