Prince Andrew, China and Xi Jinping — The royal link no one saw coming?

A series of court documents and witness statements have shed new light on the unusual relationship between Prince Andrew and Chinese President Xi Jinping, revealing a web of communication, alleged espionage and confidential business ventures.

At the centre of this unfolding story is Yang Tengbo, an alleged Chinese spy and close associate of the Duke of York, who reportedly maintained open communication channels between the British royal and China’s top leadership.

A ‘valuable communication point’ to Xi

According to a witness statement from Dominic Hampshire, Prince Andrew’s senior adviser, the Duke of York has long acted as a significant backchannel to Xi Jinping, reported The Telegraph.

Hampshire claims that the late Queen Elizabeth II was aware of and even encouraged the Duke’s regular letter exchanges with Xi, viewing them as strategically valuable.

“I maintain and believe that the Duke must surely be a valuable communication point with China,” Hampshire stated.

While acknowledging that China might have preferred another royal, Hampshire suggested that Andrew remained uniquely positioned to reach China’s leadership directly, particularly through his former initiative, Pitch@Palace China .

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The letters, carefully worded with cultural sensitivity — often with Yang’s help — sometimes referenced the Eurasia Fund, a venture involving Andrew that aimed to secure Chinese and Middle Eastern investment for African renewable energy projects.

While the fund never traded, it remains a key part of the intrigue surrounding Andrew’s business ties with China.

The Eurasia Fund and Chinese influence

The Duke’s proposed post-royal income was to come from the Eurasia Fund, a scheme involving stakeholders including Yang’s Hampton Group (30 per cent shareholding), Hampshire’s own consultancy (10 per cent), and Albe Global Partners, controlled by former Tullow Oil CEO Aiden Heavey (60 per cent).

Documents reveal that Heavey attended the 2023 Belt and Road Forum in Beijing to court investment, presenting the initiative as part of a larger Chinese global business narrative.

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Prince Andrew’s proximity to Chinese leadership, including regular birthday letters to Xi, was leveraged to suggest the venture had high-level backing, though Hampshire described the letters as “a top-level ‘nothingness’”.

Efforts were made to maintain confidentiality, as Hampshire admitted, “The last thing we needed optically was a link to China, either via Chris or the Chinese ambassador. It was just common sense.”

Espionage fears and MI5 intervention

Tensions escalated in November 2021 when MI5 intercepted Yang at a UK airport, seizing his devices and prompting serious security concerns. Days later, Sir Edward Young, Queen Elizabeth’s private secretary, confronted Hampshire with intelligence on Yang’s connection to Andrew.

When pressed for a plan B, Hampshire reportedly told Young: “Chris [Yang] is pretty much our only avenue for the Duke moving forward and arguably the only light at the end of the tunnel for him.”

In May 2022, MI5 finally met with Hampshire and Morag Love, the Duke’s assistant private secretary. During the meeting, intelligence officials expressed concern about Yang’s influence over Andrew but stopped short of instructing them to sever ties, reported The Telegraph.

“No, I can’t ask you to stop,” the MI5 officer reportedly said. “But we have genuine concerns about Chris and his influence on the Duke of York.”

Reputation, secrecy & fallout

Hampshire’s statement also paints a grim picture of Andrew’s post-Newsnight fallout. He described a consensus within the Royal household that the Duke’s reputation was “irrecoverable” following the infamous 2019 BBC interview, leaving him with no choice but to pursue discreet business ventures.

“It was very clear internally within the Royal household that we would have to look at options for the Duke’s future away from royal duties,” Hampshire said. Yang remained loyal, continuing to support Pitch@Palace China, one of the few avenues that survived the scandal.

Despite earlier messages praising Yang and his bond with the Duke, Hampshire later described some of his own language as exaggeration to “stroke his ego,” though he continued to vouch for Yang’s loyalty and trustworthiness.

The statement also includes criticism of Amanda Thirsk, the Duke’s former aide, who had played a key role in Pitch@Palace but was described by both Hampshire and Yang as “very challenging”. Thirsk is now employed by JD.com, a major Chinese e-commerce firm, reported The Telegraph.

Under scrutiny but still standing

Despite extensive scrutiny from UK security services and attempts to distance the monarchy from further controversy, the documents suggest Andrew remained committed to maintaining business ties through Chinese channels.

Confidentiality, Hampshire noted, was critical due to relentless media pressure: “Every time the Duke does anything, the media attempts to destroy or at very least, malign him.”

In one of the more bizarre twists, Hampshire admitted that although he co-founded the China-focused Serica Golf Club with Yang, the British chapter had no Chinese members due to what he described as poor golf etiquette.

With inputs from agencies