During a taxpayer-funded trip to Hong Kong in 2010 as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, Andrew, the former Duke of York, allegedly had Asian sex workers brought up to his hotel room, according to claims by his biographer, Andrew Lownie. Lownie mentioned that Andrew reserved the top floor of a hotel in Hong Kong for business purposes and arranged for the presence of Asian prostitutes during his stay.
Although prostitution is legal in Hong Kong, organized prostitution is against the law. Various regulations prohibit activities such as operating a vice establishment, facilitating prostitution, benefiting from someone’s prostitution, or engaging in public solicitation.
Andrew’s official schedule in 2010 included visits to various countries, including Hong Kong, after conducting business-related activities in Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia. His trip to Hong Kong involved engagements such as meetings at prominent locations like China Merchants Bank, dinners with business conglomerates like Jardine Matheson, and discussions with key figures at the HSBC Group, among other business-related activities.
Upon his return to London, government records indicated that Andrew undertook multiple overseas trips in 2010, including visits to various countries funded by the UKTI. Notably, his travel expenses were scrutinized, with reports showing significant costs incurred during his official duties.
Andrew’s connections to China have been highlighted, with reports revealing his association with an alleged Chinese spy named Yang Tengbo. The High Court heard that Tengbo attended Andrew’s birthday party in 2020 and was granted authority to represent the prince in dealings with potential investors from China. However, Tengbo was subsequently banned from the UK due to his alleged involvement in activities aimed at influencing influential individuals, leading to Andrew severing ties with him based on official guidance to avoid sensitive discussions.
These recent revelations have added to existing controversies surrounding Andrew’s behavior, including previous allegations of hiring prostitutes during his travels and maintaining secretive relationships with unidentified women visiting Buckingham Palace. The prince’s conduct has been a subject of scrutiny, with various sources shedding light on his controversial actions and associations over the years.