The third man who links Andrew with Jeffrey Epstein

February 28, 2026

David Stern, a German businessman fluent in Mandarin, served as a largely hidden intermediary between Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew for nearly a decade, facilitating connections and business opportunities in China. Recently released U.S. Department of Justice documents containing over 7,000 references to Stern reveal how he was introduced to the Yorks by Epstein around 2010, subsequently helping with Sarah Ferguson's debts while making derogatory comments about women in his correspondence. Stern leveraged his Chinese connections to gain access to royal circles, becoming a director of Prince Andrew's Pitch@Palace competition in 2016 and joining the board of a royal charity, all while maintaining contact with the convicted sex offender Epstein.

Who is affected

Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) - whose relationship with both Epstein and Stern is revealed in detail
Sarah Ferguson - whose debt problems were discussed and whose reputation was damaged by disrespectful private comments
Jeffrey Epstein - the convicted sex offender who introduced Stern to the Yorks
David Stern - whose extensive connections and communications are now publicly exposed
Yang Tengbo - co-founder of Pitch@Palace China, suspected of being a spy
Board members of St George's House Trust - who had misgivings about Stern's appointment
Women referenced disparagingly throughout the email correspondence
Chinese business figures mentioned in the emails (Louis Cheung, Alvin Jiang, Levin Zhu, Li Botan)

What action is being taken

No explicit actions currently ongoing are described in the article. The article reports on past events and recently released documents, but does not describe any investigations, legal proceedings, or other actions currently taking place.

Why it matters

This matters because it reveals previously unknown details about Prince Andrew's extended network and his continued indirect connection to Jeffrey Epstein through David Stern even after publicly distancing himself from the convicted sex offender. The documents expose how foreign business interests and access to China may have influenced relationships within royal circles, raising questions about judgment, vetting procedures, and potential security risks. The revelations are particularly significant given the ongoing scrutiny of Prince Andrew's associations following his disastrous interview about Epstein and his subsequent withdrawal from royal duties. Additionally, the connection to Yang Tengbo, suspected of being a Chinese spy, and Stern's extensive China dealings raise national security concerns about foreign influence and access to the royal family.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC