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
Revealed: Secret Payments from ‘Spotty’ to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Spark Financial Scrutiny Amid Royal Scandal
Recent investigations have uncovered an email revealing how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the Duke of York, discussed payments of £50,000 to each of his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, as part of a broader financial arrangement. The correspondence suggests the funds were intended to support their lifestyles, with Andrew himself expected to receive £150,000, and an additional £100,000 allocated to a private account linked to Drummonds Bank. This disclosure has intensified calls for the princesses to clarify their financial ties, particularly as they navigate questions about their spending habits during their early years in public life.
Earlier reports highlighted how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor advocated for the business endeavors of his financier David Rowland and his son Jonathan during international trade missions funded by public tax dollars. The Mail on Sunday previously exposed the extent of his influence over these ventures, which included promoting the Rowlands’ commercial interests while traveling globally under taxpayer-funded contracts.
David Rowland’s Wealth and Influence
David Rowland, a billionaire dubbed ‘Spotty’ by media, built a £730 million property and investment empire over three decades. He became a close ally of Andrew during his tenure as trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, and his financial support was pivotal in securing key positions for the royal family. In 2010, Rowland returned to the UK to contribute £2.7 million to the Conservative Party’s election campaign, a move that raised eyebrows about his political connections and tax strategies.
Rowland’s son, Jonathan, was also linked to Andrew’s activities. In 2018, Jonathan attended the wedding of Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel, sitting beside supermodel Kate Moss. The following year, the newspaper revealed Jonathan had accompanied Andrew on trade missions, during which he pushed Banque Havilland, the family’s bank, as a key financial partner.
The Proposed Financial Arrangement
“I have explained to Amanda what was intended. That is 50 [thousand] each to the girls. 50 [thousand] for me… All this to be done once receipt of the £300 [thousand] happens.”
Andrew outlined the plan in this message, with Jonathan Rowland confirming the details: “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.”
The email exchanges suggest the money was part of a larger scheme, with Andrew and David Rowland jointly owning a company registered in the British Virgin Islands—a tax haven known for its secrecy. This entity appears to have been used to attract wealthy contacts to invest in an offshore fund, potentially shielding assets from scrutiny.
Beatrice’s Lavish Lifestyle
Princess Beatrice, now 28, is said to have taken 17 holidays in 2015 while earning a modest salary of £19,500 as an international production analyst at Sony Pictures. Sources close to the princesses claim they have no memory of the alleged payments, though they have requested their historical banking records for further examination.
The financial revelations come as MPs demand transparency, questioning whether the payments were a quid pro quo for Andrew’s support of the Rowlands’ business ventures. The dispute underscores growing concerns about the royal family’s financial practices and the role of their father in facilitating these arrangements.
