During an official trip to Hong Kong in 2010 as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, Andrew, formerly known as the Duke of York and now bearing the surname Mountbatten Windsor, allegedly had Asian sex workers brought to his hotel, as reported by his biographer, Andrew Lownie.
The incident reportedly took place when Andrew reserved the top floor of a hotel in Hong Kong for business purposes and arranged for the presence of Asian prostitutes, according to the unofficial biographer.
While prostitution in Hong Kong is legal, organized prostitution is prohibited by law. Various statutes exist to combat activities such as running a vice establishment, procuring individuals for prostitution, living off the earnings of prostitutes, and public solicitation.
Following engagements at the Shanghai World Expo in Beijing from September 6 to 11, 2010, Andrew traveled to Hong Kong the next month. His itinerary included visits to prominent establishments like China Merchants Bank, attending a dinner hosted by Jardine Matheson, holding meetings with business leaders, and conducting several business appointments at renowned hotels in the region.
Upon completing business activities in Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia, Andrew arrived in Hong Kong on October 17, 2010, for a four-day visit. Although specific details regarding his accommodation were not disclosed by the Department of Business and Trade, Andrew engaged in a series of official duties during his stay in the region.
Andrew returned to London on October 20, 2010, as confirmed by the Court Circular. Official documents indicate that in 2010, he participated in UKTI visits to various countries, with the costs often a topic of discussion. It was revealed that the UKTI covered certain expenses like accommodation and in-country costs, while other expenses like private travel were charged to the UK taxpayer.
Investigator David McClure highlighted that Andrew’s most expensive flights occurred in October 2011, amounting to £92,237 for trips to China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. McClure estimated that over a decade serving as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, Andrew’s total flight and accommodation costs added up to around £4 million.
Andrew’s history of official visits to Hong Kong includes trips in 1996 and 2006, focusing on promoting trade and investment relations. Reports of Andrew hiring prostitutes are not new, with allegations dating back to a 2006 stay in Thailand and further claims emerging in 2022 about undisclosed female visitors at Buckingham Palace.
Former royal protection officer Paul Page alleged in his book and during a documentary that Andrew had a revolving door of women at his residence, with various incidents involving security officials. Additionally, Andrew’s connections to China, particularly his association with a controversial Chinese individual named Yang Tengbo, have raised concerns about national security implications.
The High Court’s decision to uphold the Home Office ban on Yang Tengbo, who was linked to influencing high-profile figures, led Andrew’s office to sever ties with him. The former prince’s office clarified that no sensitive discussions had taken place between Andrew and Tengbo. Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comments on these developments.
