Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor plotted comeback as conservation champion

Ben McCaffrey
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:13:53 +0000

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor plotted an ambitious comeback as the Royal Family's conservation champion, it has been revealed.

The former Duke of York planned to take over King Charles's legacy as an environmental activist, after his brother dedicated more than five decades to the cause.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was in talks to kickstart a non-profit organisation called The Royal Conservancy the same year as his catastrophic BBC Newsnight interview, according to The Telegraph.

But the plans were scrapped after the former prince "lacked the funding" and failed to get approval from the Cabinet Office.

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According to donors who were approached regarding the initiative, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor expressed his desire for "a legacy" and wished to "take up the mantle of conservation" from his elder brother upon Charles's accession to the throne.

The King became Patron of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts in 1977 and has since demonstrated a determined and resolute dedication to preserving the environment for future generations.

He later launched the Trust's first national appeal, the British Wildlife Appeal, in 1985, raising in excess of £16million for wildlife with the backing of Sir David Attenborough.

In 2019, with the ex-duke shrouded in controversy following links to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, potential investors from across the globe met to draw up a three-year business plan.

Leaked emails allegedly show Mr Mountbatten-Windsor sought approval for using "Royal" from the Cabinet Office. He is said to have failed to receive an official sign-off.

Sources close to the plans suggest the former prince "never had the funding" to realise his ambitions.

Just months later, in November 2019, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor withdrew from official royal duties following his interview with Emily Maitlis, which shone a new light on his association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

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Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's other venture, Pitch@Palace, was established in 2014, aiming to support tech startups and connect them with investors. It dissolved in 2026.

Controversy began following Andrew's disastrous BBC interview, but continued when Yang Tengbo, founding partner of Pitch@Palace China and reportedly a close associate of Andrew, was identified as an alleged spy and subsequently banned from entering the UK by the Home Office.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles last year after fresh disclosures emerged concerning his connections to Epstein.

In February, Thames Valley Police arrested Mr Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has denied the allegation.

He previously held the role of trade envoy for 10 years before stepping down in 2011.

GB News has approached the Cabinet Office and Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for comment.