British Prince Befriended Chinese Spy... Royal Family Says "Don't Come to Christmas Gathering"

Likely Unable to Attend Other Royal Family Events as Well

Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom, who has maintained a close relationship with a Chinese businessman suspected of espionage, has ultimately not been invited to the year-end 'Royal Christmas Feast.'

Local media including the British BBC and the daily newspaper The Times reported on the 16th (local time) that King Charles III of the United Kingdom will not have Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, attend this year's royal Christmas family gathering.

King Charles III and Prince Andrew leaving a service at Sandringham in 2017. The two are brothers. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

The British royal family gathers every year on December 25th at the Sandringham estate to celebrate Christmas. This event is a major occasion broadcast to media worldwide, including the UK. Prince Andrew is expected not to attend this Christmas event or other royal family occasions.

The discord between Prince Andrew and the British royal family recently arose from a Chinese businessman. This businessman filed a lawsuit against the UK government to overturn a ban on his entry into the UK but lost the case. During the trial, it was revealed that the businessman had a close relationship with Prince Andrew, which intensified the controversy.

The Chinese businessman is suspected by the UK's domestic intelligence agency MI5 of being a 'member of the Chinese Communist Party' and a spy affiliated with the Central United Front Work Department. Following MI5's recommendation, the UK Home Office banned his entry into the UK, judging that his presence would not be in the public interest.

The businessman had been known only by the alias 'H6' until recently, when his real name, Yang Tengbo (50), was revealed.

On the 16th, Mr. Yang issued a statement claiming, "I have done nothing wrong or illegal," and insisted, "It is completely untrue to call me a spy."

The Chinese spy controversy is shaking not only the royal family but also British politics. After the ruling, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said at a press conference, "We are concerned about the issues raised by China," but added, "Our approach is to cooperate with China on areas like climate change where collaboration is possible, and to confront where confrontation is necessary."