Prince Andrew has broken cover for the first time since it emerged he is embroiled in a scandal involving an alleged Chinese spy.
The Duke of York looked glum as he was pictured driving away from his Royal Lodge home today as he was seen in public for the first time since the scandal into his friendship with the man deepened. The Duke is currently facing scrutiny over his relationship with the businessman, known as H6, who has been banned from the UK over spying concerns.
Andrew said he “ceased all contact” with the accused businessman when concerns were first raised about him in a statement from his office on Friday. However, royals are claimed to be furious after he became involved in the fresh scandal, with the King reportedly considering banning him from appearing in public over Christmas.
H6, a 50-year-old businessman is alleged to have used his links with Andrew to secure invites to high-profile events and royal residences. According to The Sunday Times he visited Buckingham Palace twice as the Duke’s guest, as well as attending events at St James’s Palace and Windsor Palace. He was described in court as having built up “an unusual degree of trust” with the royal. He is claimed to have met former Prime Ministers David Cameron at a Downing Street reception and Theresa May at a black tie event, and kept photos of each in his London office.
Now the row is threatening to overshadow the royals’ Christmas celebrations, with Andrew invited to a pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday and the traditional festive celebrations at Sandringham next week. But sources say he should “do “the gentlemanly thing” and skip Thursday’s function. His attendance would lead to fresh embarrassment over the scandal of his Chinese spy pal, insiders added. One said: “He is under pressure to step away.”
Andrew’s invite to Thursday’s bash is now said to be untenable, with courtiers urging the him not to force the King’s hand in barring him. It would be the brothers’s first face-to-face meeting since the scandal broke, it is thought. A source today told The Sun: “There would inevitably have to be some very awkward conversations and the King would not relish making his brother squirm.
