Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, commonly known as Prince Andrew, stands accused of a grave betrayal of public trust during his tenure as a UK trade envoy. Revelations from documents released by the US Department of Justice, part of the extensive Epstein Files, indicate that he allegedly leaked sensitive and potentially market-sensitive information, including details concerning the taxpayer-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This misconduct occurred while Andrew was officially representing the United Kingdom, a taxpayer-funded role he held from 2001 to 2011, sparking widespread calls for a full investigation.

The leaked information about RBS stemmed from Andrew's private meetings with bank executives following its substantial £45 billion state bailout. Documents show that Andrew passed on critical details about RBS's shake-up plans. Shockingly, he also allegedly made unsubstantiated claims that experts overseeing the bank were privately critical of its then-chief executive, Sir Stephen Hester. Furthermore, Andrew reportedly revealed information about the bank's asset sales, specifically noting that the RBS-owned private bank Drummonds would be reviewed and integrated with Coutts. City expert Ian Fraser, author of 'Shredded,' criticized Andrew's actions, questioning why he deemed it appropriate to glean and leak such potentially market-sensitive information to contacts he wished to impress. Mr. Fraser described Andrew's comments regarding Sir Stephen Hester as 'shocking and disgraceful,' given Hester's widely credited role in stabilizing RBS (now NatWest) after he took over in 2009.

Beyond RBS, Andrew also reportedly passed on confidential information concerning Aston Martin, including allegations of internal conflicts and tensions between management and its Kuwaiti owners amid a slump in sales. The car manufacturer, however, has stated it found no evidence of direct contact between Andrew and its executives in its records. The primary conduit for these leaks was Andrew's adviser, German-born businessman David Stern, who forwarded Andrew's emails, including those from an exchange with investment banker Terence Allen in July 2010, directly to Epstein. This information, according to Mr. Fraser, could have been 'very useful' to potential investors.

The revelations extend to Andrew's 2010 official trade mission to China, where he allegedly exploited his taxpayer-funded position for Epstein's business interests. Emails from the Epstein Files expose how the convicted sex offender was allowed to organize meetings for Andrew. David Stern, an adviser to both Andrew and Epstein, was tasked with helping plan the visit and then informed Epstein that he would insert meetings with organizations quietly requested by the paedophile. Stern explicitly stated he would avoid 'industry ministries,' focusing instead on 'financial/asset management' at Epstein's request.

During the ten-day trip, new photographs from the documents show Andrew socialising with a glamorous 23-year-old Chinese model, Miya Muqi, at a secret dinner in Beijing. Three days before the mission, Stern had emailed Epstein a photo of Ms. Muqi, referring to her with a vile, disparaging code 'P' often used for young women. Photos sent by Stern to Epstein depicted Ms. Muqi and another young woman seated next to Andrew at the dinner. Epstein also arranged for Andrew to have dinner at the five-star St Regis hotel in Beijing with Jes Staley, a senior JP Morgan banker later exposed as Epstein's personal banker, with Epstein instructing Stern to 'Confirm with Andrew.' Emails also reveal Andrew insisted the first four days of his visit be 'private,' during which Stern sent Epstein what appeared to be discreetly-taken photographs of Andrew meeting multiple young women.

Following the China trip, Stern actively plotted 'discreet' business deals with Epstein and Chinese entities. A month after the Beijing dinner, Stern proposed discussing 'wealth management for Chinese,' suggesting a partnership with billionaire Chinese media mogul Bruno Wu and involving Prince Andrew. Later, Stern informed Epstein of a potential $1 million investment with Mr. Wu involving '3 luxury brands and 3 clubs,' explicitly stating, 'Since it involves [Prince Andrew] maybe you want to have a look.' The documents also show Stern planning to follow up on meetings from Andrew's trip to 'develop/attract deals' and proposing a 'discreet' investment firm targeting 'state owned enterprises and private wealth,' emphasizing that it must 'feel, smell and in fact be big money and power including access to power globally – see PA [Prince Andrew].' Compounding these revelations, an adviser to a Middle Eastern government claimed Epstein boasted about receiving sensitive intelligence from Andrew, former Cabinet Minister Lord Mandelson, and a mysterious 'third man' from inside 10 Downing Street, declaring: 'I've got the UK sewn up'.

Further compounding the allegations is the revelation that Amanda Thirsk, then Andrew's deputy private secretary and one of his most senior aides, leaked a 'sensitive' diplomatic telegram about China to Andrew's business associate, banker Jonathan Rowland. This Foreign Office cable, meant only for Government officials, included details of talks between Andrew and leading Chinese politicians, such as Vice Premier Wang Qishan and Commerce Minister Chen Deming, during the 2010 trade visit. Mr. Rowland, whose father David was pictured with Andrew, was present on the taxpayer-funded mission and allegedly used his access to secure clients for his family's Banque Havilland. Andrew also allegedly forwarded a confidential Treasury briefing to Mr. Rowland, who claims no recollection of it.

These bombshell findings have ignited a fierce demand from police chiefs, ministers, and political figures for a full and comprehensive investigation into Andrew's conduct as a UK trade envoy. Former Business Secretary Vince Cable accused Andrew of 'dreadful, cynical behaviour' and suggested that police and the Director of Public Prosecutions must consider 'criminal misconduct.' Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated Andrew 'has sold our country down the river,' while a Labour aide called his behaviour a 'complete betrayal.' Royal author Andrew Lownie has called for a parliamentary inquiry into how Andrew 'personally enriched himself and his business cronies.' Thames Valley Police is currently assessing allegations that Andrew shared confidential material with Epstein, but as of now, a criminal investigation has not been launched, with Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stating they continue to assess all relevant information.