A whistleblower warned King Charles III as early as 2019 that the business connections of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, risked exploiting the royal family’s name, according to documents cited by the Daily Mail.
The reported email, which was sent to Charles when he was Prince of Wales via royal lawyers Farrer & Co, claimed that controversial financier David Rowland was benefiting from his links to Andrew.
What the informant claimed
The communication claimed that Andrew’s behavior indicated that he viewed his relationship with Rowland as “more important than that of his family”, and warned against “misusing the royal family’s name”. A follow-up email, copied to palace aides and legal representatives, reportedly said the evidence “unequivocally proves” this misuse.
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It also alleged that Rolland paid Andrew to help obtain a banking license in Luxembourg for his own bank, Banque Havilland, and included what was described as Andrew’s bank details.
Rowland has denied any wrongdoing and rejected the license claim.
Business links and official travel
Emails reviewed by the Daily Mail appear to indicate that Rowland and his son Jonathan joined Andrew on overseas trips during his time as a taxpayer-funded UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. Visits included China and former Soviet Union countries, where Andrew allegedly highlighted business opportunities associated with his official role.
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The report also said Rowland provided financial assistance linked to Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and later repaid a £1.5 million loan to the prince.
Audit and Epstein links
The revelations come amid renewed interest in Andrew’s past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations that he shared sensitive information with him: allegations Andrew has repeatedly denied.
According to the report, Andrew was arrested on Thursday local time on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was released under investigation. The authorities did not provide further details.
The palace responded
A Buckingham Palace source told the newspaper that in light of the ongoing police investigation, he could not comment on the whistleblower’s email and said any relevant material should be shared with investigators.
British politicians mentioned in the report called on police to examine the latest allegations.
Victims’ lawyer Gloria Allred told the BBC that members of the royal family should cooperate with investigators if they request it.
Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne, sparking debate over whether legislation should remove him from the line of succession as investigations continue.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
