The Mail on Sunday has learned that Prince Andrew helped a multi-millionaire to open a bank in Monaco for super-rich people.

This newspaper has obtained bombshell emails that reveal how the Duke contacted Albert II the sovereign Prince Monaco on behalf David Rowland. He asked about opening a bank here.

After meeting with Prince Albert, the Duke of Edinburgh, the UK’s tax-funded trade ambassador at that time, offered additional assistance to the Rowland families.

The revelation comes after reports that Mr Rowland, one of the Tory Party’s top donors, paid off a £1.5 million loan in December 2017 given to Andrew by Banque Havilland, a Luxembourg-based bank controlled by the Rowland family.

Prince Andrew worked secretly behind the scenes to help controversial multi-millionaire David Rowland open a bank for the super-rich in Monaco. Pictured: The Duke of York and Mr Rowland at Royal Ascot in 2006

In secret, Prince Andrew assisted controversial multi-millionaire David Rowland in opening a bank for Monaco’s super-rich. Pictured: The Duke of York and Mr Rowland at Royal Ascot in 2006 

Two years ago the MoS reported that Prince Andrew had quietly made use of his Royal connections during his decade in office as UK trade envoy.

Banque Havilland, which was built from the wreckage of an Icelandic bank institution and named after David Rowland’s Channel Island home, offered discreet banking services for billionaires worldwide. Andrew opened the Luxembourg headquarters publicly in September 2009.

Leaked emails now reveal that Prince Andrew helped his friend, three months after he founded the bank, to expand it into the tax-haven of Monaco and the playground for billionaires.

An email to the Duke from Heather Acheson, Prince Albert’s principal attaché, suggests that Andrew had contacted the office of his fellow Royal and asked about the process for opening a bank in the principality.

“In response to your question, How hard is it to obtain a bank license?” [sic]”In and For Monaco?”,” Ms. Acheson wrote.

‘The Monegasque Authorities aren’t restricting access to foreign banking on the territory. However, new banks are welcome provided they fulfill the “fitness and propriety” criteria.

Bombshell emails leaked to this newspaper reveal how the Duke of York contacted the office of Albert II, the sovereign Prince of Monaco (pictured), on behalf of his financier friend David Rowland and asked for information about how to open a new bank in the principality

This newspaper has been able to obtain bombshell emails that reveal that the Duke of York, through David Rowland’s financier friend David Rowland, called the office of Albert II the sovereign Prince de Monaco and requested information on how to open an account in the principality.

Andrew asked her a second time about how to open a bank. She sent him an email link to the website of France’s central banks, which answered the question.

“Please tell [me]If I could be of additional assistance, Your Highness, she said.

Prince Andrew, David Rowland’s youngest son, forwarded Ms. Acheson’s reply the following day to Jonathan Rowland.

He wrote, “Here’s the Monaco’s first response.” I will go down to P Albert in March, and we’ll do additional work if needed.

According to the Court Circular (the official registry of Royal engagements), Prince Andrew was indeed present in Monaco, March 4, 2010. He attended the Outward Bound Trust dinner hosted by Prince of Monaco.

It is not known if Prince Andrew was able to provide any more help.

Banque Havilland opened a Monaco subsidiary after purchasing Dexia Private Bank in April 2012.

At the ceremony’s opening, the Duke of York served as the guest-of-honour. This was an informal Royal visit that was not documented in the Court Circular.

David Rowland organized a private plane to transport Andrew to the elite event, according to reports.

Jonathan Rowland described Monaco at that time as “the ideal location for us grow and drive forward our business.”

Paul Flynn (late Labour MP) criticised Prince Andrew for giving his seal of approval to the bank.

The Luxembourg regulator fined Banque Havilland €4 million (£3.5 million) in 2018 for not having adequate safeguards in place to protect against money-laundering – one of the biggest fines it had ever levied.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Andrew allowed a £1.5 million loan to be paid off by David Rowland in December 2017, despite rules telling Royals to avoid gifts that ‘would, or might appear to, place [them]without any obligation to donor

This revelation has reaffirmed MPs’ calls to examine the finances of Duke of York.

Norman Baker (former Government Minister) called on HMRC for an investigation into Prince Andrew’s financial activities.

He explained that Andrew’s financial dealings were becoming more scandalous the more it is revealed. While Prince Andrew worked for the Government in an official capacity, he also served as a private consultant, helping to improve the fortunes and financial standing of Rowlands.

Jonathan Rowland, the Duke of York, and Jonathan Rowland refused to comment. Prince Albert’s Office did not respond when we asked for comments.