Prince Andrew was a "key conduit" to Xi Jinping and wrote birthday letters to Xi Jinping, the Duke of Yorks' ex-adviser has claimed in court.
Dominic Hampshire alleged that the Duke of York is a "valuable communication point with China" and even regularly exchanged letters with the Chinese President.
Prince Andrew was accused by Hampshire of sending annual birthday cards to President Xi.
In newly released court documents, the former adviser suggested that the late Queen Elizabeth II "encouraged" this communication channel, which was considered "useful to have".
Prince Andrew has been described as a 'key conduit' to Chinese President Xi Jinping in court documents filed by his senior adviser
GettyHampshire alleged: "Whilst I think China would prefer a different royal, the reality is, to this day, that if the UK Government or the palace said that someone needs to see the Chinese president and talk to him, I think the duke would be able to do that, whereas I don't think anyone else could do so as simply."
He insisted the duke "fully complied" when advised to cease contact with Yang and "did not receive a penny" from any Chinese entity. Hampshire added he is "now a private businessman" with no business interests connected to any member of the Royal family.
The court documents also shed light on the duke's business dealings with China through a venture called the Eurasia Fund, which would have provided him income after he stepped back from royal duties.
Yang Tengbo, described as a "close confidant" of the duke before being banned from the UK over security concerns, was involved in the fund. Yang Tengbo denies all wrongdoing.
Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019PAThe venture was set up to invest in renewable energy projects in Africa using Chinese and Middle Eastern investment.
Documents show Yang's company, Hampton Group, owns 30 per cent of shares in Eurasia Global Partners, while Hampshire's consultancy owns 10 per cent.
Hampshire took Aiden Heavey, who owns the remaining 60 per cent, to Buckingham Palace to meet the Keeper of the Privy Purse about the fund.
The security services became concerned about the duke's relationship with Yang, with MI5 briefing Sir Edward Young, the late Queen's private secretary, in 2021.
Young subsequently met with Hampshire, showing him a note with Yang's name and asking if he knew him, according to Hampshire's witness statement.
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Prince Andrew also sent yearly birthday cards to China's president, the royal aide said in newly released court documents
GettyWhen Hampshire stressed Yang was "pretty much our only avenue for the duke moving forward", the then-Queen's private secretary was said to have offered no alternative plan.
About five months later, Hampshire and the duke's assistant private secretary were summoned to meet intelligence officials.
An MI5 officer expressed "genuine concerns about Chris and his influence on the Duke of York" but did not explicitly ask them to cease contact.
In his statement, Hampshire claimed: "That was the end of it and I have not heard anything since."
GB News have approached representatives for the Duke of York for a comment.
