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Emails reveal Prince Andrew's promotion of Rowland's ventures
Newly released correspondence from the U.S. Department of Justice shows Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor actively encouraged Jeffrey Epstein to invest in financial projects linked to Conservative Party donor David Rowland, whom he described as his "trusted money man." The exchanges, part of the broader Epstein files, highlight Andrew's efforts to connect Epstein with Rowland's business interests while serving as the UK's trade envoy.
Epstein's reluctance and press warnings
Despite Andrew's advocacy, Epstein appeared hesitant to engage with Rowland. In 2010, one of Epstein's associates warned him that UK media had labeled Rowland a "shady financier," a phrase first used in Parliament and thus legally safe to repeat. The associate noted Rowland had stepped down as Conservative Party treasurer before formally assuming the role, citing internal party turmoil.
Epstein's response-"Before he started?? what?"-reflected skepticism. His associate later advised avoiding Rowland's investment fund, which targeted China, Russia, and former Soviet states, writing, "You need to tell me what you want me to do with this but I am working on the assumption to stay far away from it."
Rowland's financial ties to Andrew and Sarah Ferguson
The emails also suggest Rowland lent money to Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, with apparent frustration over her spending. A 2009 message from a business contact to Epstein stated, "Will finalise F summary for you next week. Can't now cause she went to Nepal paying for the first class flight with her Rowland bank loan." Ferguson was photographed in Nepal the same day.
While past reports have claimed Andrew received funds from Rowland's Banque Havilland, the latest files do not provide direct evidence of such transactions. The BBC found no confirmation of these claims in the released documents.
Regulatory fallout and denials
Banque Havilland, Rowland's private bank, lost its banking license in 2024 after regulators in London and Luxembourg found compliance failures. The European Central Bank revoked its authorization, though the bank is appealing the decision.
Jonathan Rowland, David's son, denied any contact with Epstein, telling the BBC, "We never had any correspondence or meetings with him." He acknowledged his father's close relationship with Andrew, including attending the prince's birthday party and acting as his representative at a 2015 funeral. However, he rejected claims that the Rowlands used Andrew's royal status or trade envoy role to secure business deals, stating, "We did not use those contacts to promote investments."
Andrew's defense and broader scrutiny
Prince Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing, asserting he never exploited his official position for personal gain. The emails, however, underscore his long-standing association with Rowland, who was also a guest at Andrew's daughter Princess Eugenie's wedding.
Author Andrew Lownie, who chronicled the prince's financial dealings in Entitled, argued that Rowland was "essential in understanding how Andrew was able to make so much money," suggesting he helped monetize Andrew's royal connections.
The files include a 2011 email noting Andrew's government-approved trips to Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, with an associate writing, "He has full support of his Mum [the Queen]."
Unanswered questions
Neither Sarah Ferguson nor Rangecourt, the successor to Banque Havilland, responded to requests for comment. The released documents leave unresolved whether Andrew directly benefited from Rowland's financial services, though they deepen scrutiny of his financial relationships during his tenure as trade envoy.
