According to the Daily Mail, the whistleblower’s email was sent to the then Prince of Wales Charles via the law firm Farrer & Co. It says that ex-Prince Andrew, the former Duke of York, had secret financial relationships with the controversial financier David Rowland.

The message spoke of a “misuse of the name of the Royal Family”. Andrew therefore placed his relationship with Rowland above family interests.

Business contacts during official trips

According to the report, the emails suggest that Andrew involved Rowland and his son Jonathan in his official activities. Between 2001 and 2011, Andrew worked as a government-funded trade representative, including in China and former Soviet states.

Over several years he is said to have repeatedly alerted Rowland to business opportunities that arose from his travels. It is also alleged that Rowland helped Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson pay off debts with £40,000 and paid off a £1.5 million loan for Andrew in 2017.

Allegation regarding banking license in Luxembourg

A particularly serious accusation concerns the private bank Banque Havilland. According to the whistleblower, Rowland paid Andrew to obtain a Luxembourg banking license. The banking license was revoked by the European Central Bank in 2024. The institute has lodged an appeal.

Jonathan Rowland said he had “no idea” about the email to Charles, according to the Daily Mail. The claim that one can “obtain” a banking license is “idiotic.”

Arrest and political demands

The new revelations could worsen the situation surrounding Andrew. He was born on Thursday under the Arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released again after eleven hours. There have been no charges so far. Andrew denies all allegations.

Several politicians are now calling for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations. There are also growing voices calling for legislation to remove Andrew from the line of succession, in which he is currently eighth in line.

Buckingham Palace said it could not comment on the allegations given the ongoing investigation.