BREAKING: Prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has filed to dissolve his business, Pitch@Palace, which aimed to connect entrepreneurs with investors and mentors. The urgent application to close the company was submitted to Companies House just yesterday, signaling an abrupt end to the venture that claimed to have created 3,000 jobs since its inception.
The application, signed by sole director Arthur Lancaster, indicates that Pitch@Palace is seeking to be “struck off and dissolved.” As of March, the company’s financial status showed a drastic decline, with only £10,965 ($22,123 AUD) in cash, down from £220,990 ($445,861 AUD) the previous year.
This news comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, who resigned from his role with Pitch@Palace in 2019 after facing backlash from a widely criticized interview on the BBC’s Newsnight program. Recently, he was stripped of his titles and dukedom by his brother, King Charles, following serious allegations regarding his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a troubling revelation, it was disclosed that Andrew had maintained contact with Epstein even after publicly claiming to have severed ties. An email he sent in 2011 stating, “we’re in this together,” raises further concerns about his judgment.
The business faced additional scrutiny last year when it was revealed that the founder-partner of Pitch@Palace China, Yang Tengbo, was allegedly a spy, leading to his ban from the UK.
As Parliament returns from recess, discussions regarding Andrew’s rental arrangements at Royal Lodge, including potential payouts for vacating the property, are expected to be raised by members of the Liberal Democrats this week.
With Pitch@Palace’s closure, the future of its projects and the entrepreneurs it supported hangs in the balance, marking a significant shift in the landscape for start-up assistance in the UK.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
