EXPOSED: Andrew’s messages about £100,000 payment for Beatrice and Eugenie from tycoon known as ‘Spotty’ that have sparked demands princesses ‘come clean’ about their finances – and Beatrice’s eye-poppingly jet-set year
Scandal Deepens as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Face Financial Scrutiny
Recent disclosures have intensified the controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, revealing he actively advocated for his daughters to receive secret payments from David Rowland, a billionaire dubbed “Spotty” by media. These communications have prompted lawmakers to press the princesses for transparency regarding their financial dealings.
Andrew’s Role in Facilitating Payments
The Mail on Sunday uncovered internal messages indicating Andrew discussed allocating £50,000 to each of his daughters, alongside £25,000 for an investment firm, and £50,000 for himself. This arrangement was tied to a potential £300,000 transfer from Rowland, which would also fund an account at Drummonds Private Bank.
“I have explained to Amanda [Thirsk, Andrew’s aide] what was intended. That is 50 [thousand] each to the girls. 25 for Jellybook each. 50 for me. The remainder of the £300, £150 plus an additional £100k to be transferred to Drummonds. All this to be done once receipt of the £300 happens.”
Rowland’s Business Connections and Tax History
David Rowland, a property tycoon with a £730 million fortune, became a key associate of the then Duke of York during his tenure as a trade envoy. A tax exile for over three decades, Rowland returned to the UK in 2010 to contribute £2.7 million to the Conservative Party’s campaign. His son Jonathan accompanied Andrew on diplomatic trips, promoting their family’s bank, Banque Havilland.
Beatrice’s Expensive Lifestyle and Unexplained Funds
Princess Beatrice’s 2015 calendar included 17 holidays, despite earning only £19,500 annually as an international production analyst at Sony Pictures. Sources indicate the princesses are seeking access to their historical banking records to clarify the source of the funds. The scandal now centers on whether the £100,000 payment to Beatrice was part of a broader financial agreement involving her father and Rowland’s business interests.
Offshore Company and Financial Ties
The newspaper highlighted that Andrew and David Rowland jointly owned a company registered in the British Virgin Islands, a well-known tax haven. This entity appears to have been used to attract wealthy contacts to invest in a tax-free offshore fund, linking the prince’s role to potential conflicts of interest. Jonathan Rowland confirmed the plan in a message to Andrew, stating: “Just so I am clear. You have Euro 650k (£575k) in the Bank. 50k each to the girls. Jelly I am clear on although the girls accounts might not be in place so you can do £100k and we work it out later.”
These revelations add to the mounting pressure on the princesses to account for their spending, particularly as their lavish lifestyles remain a focal point of public debate. The connection between Andrew’s trade missions and the financial arrangement with Rowland underscores ongoing questions about the use of public resources for private gain.
