Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, is poised to close one of his last remaining business ventures next week as Pitch@Palace faces formal dissolution. The company, which once aimed to support budding entrepreneurs through investment pitches reminiscent of Dragons' Den, is scheduled to be struck off the Companies House register on Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
End of an Entrepreneurial Chapter
This development represents another significant milestone in Prince Andrew's gradual withdrawal from public life, following the stripping of his royal titles by Buckingham Palace in October. The palace's decisive action came amid persistent controversy surrounding his association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex offences.
Pitch@Palace was originally established in 2017 with the noble intention of assisting young entrepreneurs in accessing the business world. The initiative enabled participants to present their innovative ideas to potential investors and compete for crucial funding opportunities. Initially, this venture earned Andrew considerable praise for his apparent commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent across the United Kingdom.
Financial Decline and Administrative Closure
The company's financial position has deteriorated markedly in recent years, according to the latest available accounts. By the end of March, Pitch@Palace held just £10,965 in cash reserves, representing a dramatic decline from the £220,990 recorded the previous year. This financial downturn has coincided with the business's operational winding down.
Official documents filed with Companies House reveal that Arthur Lancaster, the firm's sole director, has submitted an application for the company to be "struck off and dissolved." The registry continues to list Prince Andrew of Royal Lodge, Windsor, as maintaining "significant influence or control" over the business entity, despite his resignation from an active role in 2019.
Controversial Associations and International Complications
Pitch@Palace became embroiled in further controversy last year when revelations emerged concerning its international connections. Yang Tengbo, the founder-partner of Pitch@Palace China, was identified as an alleged spy and subsequently banned from entering the United Kingdom by the Home Office. This individual was said to have developed a close confidant relationship with Andrew, adding another layer of complexity to the business's troubled history.
The former prince's association with the venture became increasingly problematic following his disastrous 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight, during which he faced intense questioning about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Although Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, the interview triggered substantial public backlash and ultimately led to his resignation from royal duties.
Legal Settlements and Ongoing Scrutiny
Andrew's legal challenges have continued to mount in subsequent years. In 2022, he paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault claim brought by Virginia Giuffre, a woman he maintains he has never met. Additional scrutiny emerged before Christmas when emails surfaced showing Andrew had communicated with Epstein in 2011, despite previously claiming to have severed all contact with the convicted sex offender three months earlier.
The publication of Giuffre's posthumous memoir, coupled with the US government's release of documents from Epstein's estate, has sustained public and media attention on Andrew's relationship with the disgraced financier. These developments prompted King Charles to take decisive action, stripping his younger brother of his birthright to be a prince and his dukedom over what were described as "serious lapses of judgment."
Residential Transition and Future Prospects
As part of his continued retreat from public life, Andrew is expected to vacate Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park sometime this year. It was revealed that he had been paying only peppercorn rent for this residence for more than two decades. His anticipated relocation to the King's private Sandringham estate represents another symbolic step in his gradual withdrawal from the public sphere.
The dissolution of Pitch@Palace next week will effectively close the final chapter on Andrew's entrepreneurial ambitions, leaving few remaining connections to his former business interests. This development underscores the comprehensive nature of his retreat from public engagements and commercial ventures following years of controversy and legal challenges.
