Royal consequences: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor reacts to lost title
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is facing pressure and taking further steps in response to losing his titles. The former Royal is shutting down his business platform, Pitch@Palace Global Ltd., as reported by the British broadcaster BBC. The closure request was filed with the UK’s Companies House by the company’s sole remaining director, Arthur Lancaster.
Pitch@Palace operated based on the concept of the BBC show “Dragon’s Den,” the British original version of “Shark Tank,” aiming to connect young entrepreneurs with investors. Andrew claimed that the initiative led to the creation of 3,000 jobs, according to The Independent. Established in 2017, Pitch@Palace was seen as a potential source of income for Andrew following the withdrawal of financial support from his brother, King Charles III. Events were held at prestigious venues like St James’s Palace.
However, the business model had been unstable for years. After Andrew’s disastrous “Newsnight” interview in 2019 regarding his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Pitch@Palace suspended its competition activities. The UK branch closed in 2021, with only the international arm remaining. Recent financial reports showed a significant decline in assets, dropping from around 300,000 euros to approximately 14,000 euros compared to the previous year.
In late October, Buckingham Palace announced the unprecedented decision to revoke all of Andrew’s royal titles and honors. He was removed from the peerage and instructed to vacate the Royal Lodge in Windsor, relocating to an estate in Sandringham. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also need to find alternative accommodation after 17 years of living together post-divorce.
The closure request for Pitch@Palace stated that all remaining assets would be transferred to the Crown upon dissolution. Additionally, another company associated with Andrew, Innovate Global Ltd., which was reportedly intended as a rebranding of Pitch@Palace, also requested closure on the same day. These actions signify another step in Andrew’s retreat from public life.