Andrew
Mountbatten Windsor has applied to dissolve his remaining business ventures,
including the Pitch@Palace Global initiative.
LONDON, UK — 2025-11-12 (UTC). Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has initiated formal moves to wind up his remaining commercial ventures, marking what appears to be the final stage in his retreat from public and business life. Documents filed with Companies House on Tuesday show an application to dissolve Pitch@Palace Global Ltd, the entrepreneurial initiative he founded to connect start-ups with investors. The filing was signed by the company’s sole director, Arthur Lancaster.
Pitch@Palace
was launched in 2014 to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, providing a
platform for emerging businesses to secure mentorship and funding. At its
height, the initiative operated globally, hosting events in Australia, the
Middle East, and Asia. However, its fortunes declined sharply following
Mountbatten Windsor’s association with controversial figures and his subsequent
withdrawal from public duties.
The move
comes less than a month after the King formally revoked his remaining honorary
titles and military appointments, ending years of speculation about his status
within the royal family. The closure of his business interests is seen as a
continuation of this effort to distance the institution from lingering
controversy.
Reactions
and Implications
Business
analysts say the dissolution of Pitch@Palace Global symbolises the final
unraveling of Mountbatten Windsor’s commercial brand. “Pitch@Palace was once a
prestigious platform linking royal patronage to entrepreneurial innovation,”
noted Dr. Helen Warwick, a corporate governance specialist at King’s College
London. “Its closure underscores how reputation risk can obliterate even
well-intentioned initiatives when founders become liabilities.”
Public
reaction has been muted but unsympathetic. Social media users and charity
commentators suggest the shutdown is a long-overdue formality following years
of inactivity. Supporters of the royal family have welcomed the decision as a
step toward restoring institutional credibility, while critics argue that the
process should have been completed sooner.
Legal
experts point out that a voluntary dissolution at Companies House typically
occurs when a business has ceased trading and has no outstanding debts. “The
procedure is largely administrative, but symbolically important when the entity
has been in the public eye,” said Mark Bentley, a London-based corporate
lawyer.
What
Happens Next
Once the
dissolution application is advertised in the Gazette —the official public
record for UK companies — there is a minimum two-month window for objections
before the company is formally removed from the register. If no objections are
lodged, Pitch@Palace Global Ltd will cease to exist early next year.
Observers
believe this step could pave the way for Mountbatten Windsor to retreat further
into private life, focusing on personal matters away from the spotlight. While
there is no indication of future business plans, his former associates say he
has expressed interest in philanthropy and education projects without public
branding.
Royal
biographer Emily Rutherford commented: “The decision reflects a realisation
that there is no path back to public duties. He appears content to let his
business and charitable roles dissolve quietly, allowing the institution to
move on.”
Key Data
Points:
Application
to dissolve Pitch@Palace Global filed at Companies House on 12 November 2025
(source: Companies House public register).
Former
director Arthur Lancaster signed the application on behalf of the company
(source: Companies House filing).
Mountbatten Windsor was formally stripped of remaining honours in October 2025 (source: Royal Communications Office).
Credits:
Author: Charlotte Evans, UK News Editor
Editor-in-Chief: María Quesada
Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA