Prince Andrew faces fresh scrutiny as a British court demands the release of potentially embarrassing documents linking him to an alleged Chinese spy. The disgraced royal’s connections to Yang Tengbo, suspected of espionage for the Chinese Communist Party, could bring further damage to his already tarnished reputation.
At a glance:
• Prince Andrew’s senior aide must release a letter regarding the royal’s relationship with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo
• Yang was described as a “close confidant” of Andrew and banned from Britain on national security grounds
• Court ruled the documents contain “embarrassing or indiscreet” comments that should be made public
• Yang reportedly gained an “unusual degree of trust” with Andrew and was invited to his 60th birthday party
• Documents are scheduled for release by April 4 unless a judicial review is filed by March 28
Royal Connections to Chinese Spying Operation Exposed
Prince Andrew’s entanglement with an alleged Chinese spy has triggered a new scandal for the disgraced royal after a British tribunal ordered the release of potentially damaging documents. The Special Immigration Appeals Commission ruled that a witness statement from Andrew’s senior aide, Dominic Hampshire, must be made public despite attempts to keep it private.
Yang Tengbo, a businessman and former York University student, was banned from Britain after intelligence agencies suspected him of accessing influential public figures for the Chinese Communist Party. The tribunal’s decision stressed that public interest outranked royal privacy, with Judge Charles Bourne determining that Andrew’s commercial links to the alleged spy must be disclosed.
Documents already released show Hampshire thanked Yang for supporting Andrew after his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview when he discussed his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Yang played a significant role in launching Andrew’s Pitch@Palace investment roadshow in China and was described as having gained an “unusual degree of trust” with the Duke of York.
Court Rejects Confidentiality Claims
Mr. Hampshire had attempted to block the letter’s release, arguing it contained “highly private, confidential and commercially sensitive information.” The court disagreed, with Judge Bourne stating: “Substantial parts of the witness statement contain material which cannot possibly be said to be confidential, such as information about Mr Hampshire’s background or about how he came to know Mr Yang.”
The judgment further noted: “There are also comments about Mr Hampshire’s work with the duke which might seem embarrassing or indiscreet, but they are not such as to give rise to the inference that a legal duty of confidentiality attaches to them.”
Media organizations, led by the Guardian, successfully argued for the statement’s release, noting substantial and legitimate public interest in reporting on the royal’s commercial activities.
Deep Ties Between Andrew and Alleged Spy
Previously released correspondence reveals the extraordinary closeness between Yang and the Duke of York. In one letter, Hampshire told Yang: “You should never underestimate the strength of that relationship… Outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.”
Yang’s influence extended to social invitations, including attendance at Andrew’s 60th birthday celebration. These connections have raised serious national security concerns about what information may have been accessible to someone suspected of working for Chinese intelligence, particularly given Andrew’s former role as a UK trade envoy.
Adding to the controversy, reports indicate Andrew met with China’s ambassador to the UK just days before his links to Yang became public. The meeting, and its timing, served to intensify scrutiny of the Duke’s judgment and questioned whether he was aware of intelligence concerns related to his associate.
Prince Andrew pictured riding in Windsor amid reports aide MUST release letter to alleged 'Chinese spy', tribunal rules https://t.co/PArW9y5Zko
— Zicutake USA Comment (@Zicutake) March 22, 2025
Yang has vehemently denied the allegations against him, calling them “entirely unfounded.” The documents are scheduled for release by April 4, unless Hampshire successfully applies for a judicial review by March 28.
