King Charles III is facing pressure to take stronger action against his scandal-prone brother, Prince Andrew, amid a new controversy over alleged ties to a Chinese businessman. The latest incident involves Yang Tengbo, who was barred from the UK due to concerns he cultivated links with Andrew in an effort to influence British elites on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.
The allegations represent the most high-profile example yet of China’s increasing efforts to secretly influence politicians and other members of the British establishment to support its expansionist policies. However, Prince Andrew has long been a source of tabloid fodder due to his financial woes and links to questionable characters, including late American financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of his royal duties and charity roles in 2019, but he remains ensconced at the Royal Lodge west of London. Charles has tried to persuade Andrew to cut expenses by moving from the sprawling estate to a cottage inside Windsor Castle’s security perimeter, but so far, no change is in sight.
Author Ed Owens says King Charles III needs to take more aggressive action to keep Prince Andrew out of the public eye, such as barring him from processions and other royal events. Owens describes Andrew as “toxic” and “damaged goods,” saying his behavior can only further undermine the reputation of the monarchy.
The scandal surrounding Prince Andrew has fueled criticism of the monarchy, with anti-monarchy groups calling for a parliamentary inquiry into alleged royal corruption. The prince’s struggles serve as a cautionary tale about the temptations and pitfalls of modern royalty.
Andrew’s ties to Epstein led to his forced resignation from royal duties in 2011, while his interview with the BBC’s Newsnight program in 2019 further damaged his reputation. He ultimately settled a lawsuit with one of Epstein’s victims for an undisclosed sum and was stripped of military affiliations and royal charity work. The controversy surrounding Prince Andrew continues to haunt the royal family, with his disastrous interview still resonating today.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/prince-andrew-yang-tengbo-chinese-spy-b3aeebcf4f7d73eaac3dae37b4b3760e