Prince Andrew’s business meeting sparks uproar as he faces fresh calls to leave the…
Prince Andrew is facing fresh calls to leave Royal Lodge following the Duke of York’s business meeting, according to new claims.
Andrew hosted China’s ambassador to the UK at Royal Lodge for a business meeting just days before his links to an alleged Chinese spy became public, the Sun has reported.
The Duke of York is understood to have invited Ambassador Zheng Zeguang to his Windsor residence on December 9 to meet with Middle East investment firm Waterberg-Stirling.
The meeting took place three days before court papers emerged naming Andrew’s connections to Yang Tengbo, who is accused of being a Chinese spy – allegations he denies.
Andrew was photographed returning early from his morning horse ride at Windsor Castle to accommodate the lunchtime meeting.
While the Duke facilitated the introduction, he is not thought to have remained present for the discussions between the ambassador and Waterberg-Stirling’s CEO Oleg Firer.
Firer, who serves as Vice Chair of the firm, previously held the position of Grenada’s ambassador but was banned from entering the Caribbean nation in 2023 on security grounds.
Waterberg-Stirling maintains links to China’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative, which builds infrastructure in developing nations like Laos to expand its influence in Southeast Asia.
The firm has a basic website offering limited information but has been described as a “key stakeholder” in the Dutch company Startupbootcamp.
The Dutch firm is reportedly in negotiations to exploit Andrew’s contacts from his former Pitch@Palace initiative, which he stepped back from following his Newsnight interview.
Former Home Office Minister Norman Baker called news of the December meeting “extraordinary” in comments to the Sun.
“Andrew goes from one disaster to another, and shows a complete lack of judgement,” Baker said.
He also shows he’s interested in pursuing things for himself rather than on behalf of this country.”
The revelations have prompted fresh calls for Andrew’s removal from the 31-room Royal Lodge.
A royal source told The Sun: “It seems that every single time he is leaving him to sort out his own affairs, another matter of concern is raised.
source added that the King has been “incredibly patient” but stressed that Andrew must explain any concerns over income sources for Royal Lodge repairs.
“The Duke should be prepared to give a full explanation as to what is actually going on,” the source warned, noting worries over what else may emerge from the Duke’s private life.
