Prince Andrew met Cai Qi, a senior Chinese Communist Party official, on at least three occasions during 2018 and 2019, including meetings in London and Beijing. The encounters occurred while Andrew was still representing the UK in limited business-facing roles.
These revelations resurfaced in early 2025 as anti-monarchy campaigners raised fresh concerns about Andrew’s business activities, adding pressure to a Royal Family already managing serious health challenges at the top.
Epstein Fallout Still Defines Andrew
Prince Andrew stepped back from official royal duties in November 2019 following intense criticism of his BBC Newsnight interview about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
In 2022, he reached a financial settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was 17, an allegation he has consistently denied. While the settlement avoided a trial, it permanently ended his public royal role and continues to shape perceptions of him.
Timing Collides With Royal Health Crisis
The renewed scrutiny of Andrew has unfolded alongside an unprecedented health crisis for the monarchy. King Charles III announced on 5 February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer and would pause public-facing duties.
Weeks later, Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed her own cancer diagnosis following abdominal surgery in January 2024, deepening concerns about the institution’s stability and capacity.
Catherine’s Treatment and Return
Catherine confirmed in March 2024 that she was undergoing preventive chemotherapy. By September 2024, she announced she had completed treatment, and in January 2025 she stated she was in remission.
Her extended absence from public life significantly reduced the number of senior working royals available for engagements, highlighting how dependent the modern monarchy has become on a very small group of individuals.
Pitch@Palace and China Links
Andrew’s meetings with Cai Qi coincided with his promotion of the Pitch@Palace initiative, which he launched internationally to connect entrepreneurs with investors.
During visits to China in 2018 and 2019, Pitch@Palace events were held at venues including Peking University and in Shenzhen. The initiative, once central to Andrew’s remaining royal relevance, has since distanced itself from him amid growing controversy.
Associate Barred From the UK
One of Andrew’s associates, Yang Tengbo, was banned from entering the UK in 2023 on national security grounds.
In April 2025, court documents released publicly outlined Yang’s connections to Andrew and his involvement around Pitch@Palace activities. While no criminal charges were brought against Andrew in relation to these links, the disclosures intensified questions about his judgment and associations.
Wider UK–China Political Context
Andrew’s contacts with Cai Qi occurred during a period of broader UK engagement with China. In May 2018, senior UK political figures, including Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, met Cai Qi’s delegation in London.
These meetings underline that Andrew’s encounters were not unique at the time, though his lack of formal political accountability has drawn sharper scrutiny.
Dropped Espionage Case Adds Fuel
Public concern was amplified after espionage-related charges against two men, Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash, were dropped in 2025 due to evidentiary issues.
The collapse of the case prompted parliamentary questioning of senior prosecutors and expressions of frustration from security officials. Chinese authorities have consistently denied allegations of espionage, but the episode has kept intelligence risks in the public eye.
Police Complaint Filed Against Andrew
In January 2025, Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, filed a police complaint alleging that Andrew used false details when registering a company, Naples Gold Ltd, with Companies House.
Andrew has not been charged, and the matter remains under consideration. Smith has described the issue as part of a broader pattern of questionable conduct by the disgraced duke.
Andrew Absent From Family Christmas
Andrew did not attend the Royal Family’s Christmas gathering at Sandringham in December 2024, marking a notable departure from previous years.
His absence underscored his continued isolation within the family and his exclusion from public and private royal life. The decision reflected the Palace’s determination to avoid further reputational damage during an already difficult period.
King Charles’ Ongoing Treatment
Despite his diagnosis, King Charles has gradually resumed limited duties. In September 2025, during a visit to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, he told a patient he was “not too bad,” offering a rare personal comment on his condition.
Treatment has continued since early 2024, with adjustments allowing him to carry out selected engagements while managing his health.
Titles, Names, and Status
In late 2025, King Charles initiated formal steps to strip Andrew of remaining titles and honors. As part of this process, Andrew has been referred to publicly as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor rather than by his ducal title.
The move reflects the Palace’s effort to draw a clear institutional line between the monarchy and Andrew’s ongoing controversies.
Royal Lodge and Security Changes
Andrew has also been required to vacate Royal Lodge, his long-term residence in Windsor Great Park, after being formally notified to surrender the lease.
He no longer receives taxpayer-funded security, following earlier legal rulings and internal royal decisions. These changes mark a decisive reduction in his privileges and visibility within royal life.
Public Opinion and Generational Divide
Polling in 2023 and 2024 showed notably lower support for the monarchy among younger adults compared with older generations. Repeated scandals, combined with the absence of visible younger working royals, have fueled debate about relevance and reform.
Analysts note that controversies surrounding figures like Andrew continue to overshadow attempts to modernize the institution.
A Monarchy Under Sustained Strain
As Andrew denies wrongdoing and withdraws further from royal settings, King Charles is attempting to steer the monarchy through overlapping personal, institutional, and reputational challenges.
With senior figures recovering from illness and the working royal pool at its smallest in decades, the Royal Family faces sustained scrutiny over resilience, accountability, and its future role in public life.
Sources:
- UK courts release new documents on Prince Andrew’s relationship to alleged Chinese spy – CNN
- Prince Andrew Reported to the Police Over Business Filings – Town & Country
- Threat assessment of China led to spy case collapse, says CPS – BBC News
- Prince Andrew gives up his title as Duke of York – BBC News
- King Charles’ Cancer Diagnosis – Our Cancer Stories
- Prince Andrew: Secret papers reveal new details about links to ‘Chinese spy’ Yang Tengbo – BBC News