Prince Andrew sent birthday letters to China’s president Xi Jinping with help of alleged spy Yang Tengo, it has been revealed. The prince’s former senior adviser Dominic Hampshire told a special immigration tribunal on Friday that Yang - also known as Chris - would help draft these letters, which the Palace were said to have known about.

Mr Hampshire, who worked for Andrew from 2019-22, said Yang - who denies any wrongdoing - helped with the letters. Andrew’s ex advisor said in a witness statement: “The royal household, including the late queen, were fully aware of this communication – it was certainly accepted and it may be fair to say it was even encouraged – it was an open channel of communication that was useful to have. As is my job, I would draft these letters with the help of those (in this instance Chris) that understood how messages need to be conveyed due to cultural differences.”

Hampshire also said the letters to Xi were “top-level ‘nothingness’ and a courtesy type of letter”.

This revelation is part of the recent scandal Andrew has become involved in following his friendship and business relationship with Yang, who was excluded from the UK on national security grounds by the previous home secretary Suella Braverman in March 2023.

While The Duke of York, 65, said he ceased contact with Yang when concerns were first raised, it is well-known that Yang was a “close confidant” of Andrew and had even been invited to the duke’s 60th birthday party.

It was also revealed today in court documents that King Charles was briefed about an investment fund which involved the alleged Chinese spy.

Mr Hampshire described being smuggled into Windsor Castle alongside Prince Andrew for clandestine meetings with the King, during which he says the Eurasia Fund - a fund that would use Chinese investment and put it into renewable energy projects in Africa - was discussed.

He claimed these meetings took place in December 2023 and May 2024. This came amid Andrew's efforts to find secure income after stepping back from royal duties.

The document states: “I have had two meetings with The Duke and His Majesty to discuss what The Duke can do moving forwards in a way that is acceptable to His Majesty. It is also of note that, amongst other topics, the Eurasia Fund and Aidan Heavey were discussed on both occasions with His Majesty. (For both these meetings with His Majesty, despite less media interest in The Duke, we took all precautions to get in and out of Windsor Castle without being seen.)”

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said on Friday that the King and Andrew did not mention the alleged spy - known as H6 before an anonymity order was lifted- in any of their meetings. The statement said: "While His Majesty met with The Duke and his adviser to hear outline proposals for independent funding over the past year, the individual known as H6 was not mentioned at any time or in any way as part of these discussions."