Duke of York under fire as investigation reveals business ties amid growing financial scrutiny
Prince Andrew has been thrust into fresh controversy following explosive revelations about a covert connection to millionaire Doug Barrowman, deepening concerns over his financial dealings and choice of business associates.
According to a BBC investigation, the Duke of York’s business venture, Pitch@Palace Global—a start-up competition styled after Dragons' Den—was legally owned for two years by Knox House Trustees (UK), a firm tied to Barrowman. This arrangement reportedly lasted from 2021 to 2023, though Andrew retained full control over the organisation during that period.
Barrowman and his wife, Baroness Michelle Mone, recently admitted they misled the public over their ties to a company that received lucrative UK government contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the controversy, a lawyer for Barrowman stated that he “at no time... had any business or personal involvement with the duke.”
The nominee ownership structure is said to follow a longstanding royal practice of placing assets under third-party names. Still, the discovery has reignited criticism, particularly as questions mount over how Andrew funds his lifestyle at Royal Lodge in Windsor after being cut off financially by King Charles.
Adding to the scrutiny, Andrew distanced himself in December from Yang Tengbo, the Chinese head of Pitch@Palace operations, after UK intelligence suggested Yang was involved in espionage—claims Yang has firmly denied.
With every new revelation, Prince Andrew’s public image continues to deteriorate, further diminishing any hope of rehabilitation within royal circles.
