In a recent exposé by the BBC, it has come to light that one of Prince Andrew’s significant business interests was managed for a span of two years by a company linked to the controversial millionaire Doug Barrowman. This revelation underscores the complex and often dubious financial network surrounding the Duke of York, which has come under increasing scrutiny since his withdrawal from royal duties following a scandalous Newsnight interview in late 2019. The company at the heart of this investigation, Pitch@Palace Global, was managed by Knox House Trustees (UK), an entity heavily tied to Barrowman.
The transfer of ownership was notably prompted by the fallout from Andrew’s media appearances. The Duke’s public image suffered a major setback during his appearance on BBC’s Newsnight, wherein he faced allegations related to his connections with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In the wake of this, Pitch@Palace Global, an initiative aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and startups, was positioned under the control of Knox House Trustees, which Barrowman ultimately owned until 2023.
Barrowman, along with his prominent wife Baroness Michelle Mone, had previously been embroiled in controversy regarding their endorsements of a company that won substantial government contracts during the global pandemic. Subsequent admissions by Baroness Mone revealed that they had misrepresented their connections to the company, PPE Medpro, raising flags regarding their integrity and transparency. Despite Barrowman’s lawyer asserting that he had no business or personal dealings with Prince Andrew, the links between their networks raise probing questions about ethical conduct in their pursuits.
Having sustained a luxurious lifestyle within his Royal Lodge situated in Windsor, Prince Andrew’s financial footing has been increasingly scrutinized, especially after being financially distanced by his elder brother, King Charles III. His associations have also been under the microscope, particularly following revelations about his ties to Yang Tengbo, who previously oversaw the Chinese operations of Pitch@Palace. The UK government warned Andrew that Yang was alleged to be a spy, a claim Yang has robustly disputed.
Meanwhile, Barrowman himself has not escaped scrutiny. In 2017, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) initiated an investigation into one of Barrowman’s companies, AML Tax (UK), which was implicated in promoting tax avoidance schemes. This ultimately resulted in a fine of £150,000. Moreover, in early 2023, the National Crime Agency began digging into possible criminal activities linked to PPE Medpro, underlining growing concerns regarding Barrowman’s business dealings.
Critics have voiced serious concerns regarding Andrew’s pattern of associating with questionable business figures and utilizing nominees and offshore accounts to shield his financial activities from public view. Renowned author Andrew Lownie, who is set to write a biography on Prince Andrew, emphasized the need for comprehensive oversight and investigation into his financial dealings, citing the importance of transparency given the Duke’s historical associations.
The Pitch@Palace initiative has been pivotal for both entrepreneurs seeking investment and for Andrew’s personal finances. Since its inception in 2014, it has expanded internationally, yet both the UK-based and international segments of the initiative found themselves suspended following the damaging revelations resulting from Andrew’s controversial interview on Newsnight. Despite this, the international arm of Pitch@Palace continued to suggest potential financial opportunities for the Duke, with statements indicating his search for funding through connections to China.
Additionally, it has been noted that ownership of Pitch@Palace Global was handed over to Knox House Trustees in early 2021, with Barrowman being the key figure in its operations. Despite the layers of obscurity typically maintained by the Royal Family regarding their investments, Prince Andrew’s connection to Pitch@Palace remains direct and visible.
This situation further complicates as, in 2023, the principal manager of Knox House Trustees was transferred to Arthur Lancaster, an accountant with longstanding ties both to the Prince and Barrowman. Lancaster, who has faced allegations of evasion in past tax cases, now occupies potential control over significant financial operations which connect back to the Duke of York. These developments suggest that while the entities surrounding Prince Andrew may appear distanced, their interconnectedness raises significant ethical implications and highlights the necessity for greater scrutiny of royal financial practices.
Ultimately, as investigations continue, emphasis on accountability and transparency within the royal financial sphere becomes ever more pressing, particularly in light of recent associations that challenge the integrity of the royal household.