Newly unsealed U.S. Department of Justice documents have illuminated the shadowy role of German businessman David Stern as the critical liaison connecting Prince Andrew and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in their China-focused business ventures. The millions of pages of evidence reveal Stern’s decade-long involvement as an intermediary who facilitated connections, managed financial arrangements, and enabled access to Chinese networks for both men.
The documents depict Stern’s emergence into royal circles beginning in 2008 when Epstein introduced him to Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew. Stern subsequently became deeply embedded in the York family’s affairs, particularly assisting with the Duchess’s significant financial difficulties while simultaneously maintaining his primary allegiance to Epstein, whom he frequently addressed as “boss” or “my mentor.
Throughout the correspondence spanning 2008-2018, Stern appears as the eager junior partner to Epstein, constantly proposing business ventures while demonstrating concerning attitudes toward women. His emails contain numerous derogatory references to women using coded language and abbreviations, alongside detailed discussions of potential investments and Chinese business opportunities.
Stern’s value to both men largely stemmed from his claimed expertise and connections in China, where he had studied Mandarin and established business ventures. He portrayed himself as exceptionally well-connected with Chinese elites, though the veracity of these claims remains unclear. This perceived access proved particularly valuable to Epstein, whose criminal record limited his ability to travel to China directly.
The German businessman eventually gained formal positions within royal-affiliated organizations, joining the board of Andrew’s Pitch@Palace initiative in 2016 and later being appointed to St George’s House, a charity founded by Prince Philip. His involvement with Pitch@Palace continued through its final Chinese event in Shenzhen in 2019, which also included Yang Tengbo, who was later banned from the UK over espionage allegations.
Despite Stern’s extensive correspondence and apparent closeness to both Epstein and the royal family, many of his ambitious business proposals—including ventures in private equity, healthcare technology, and even a fanciful scheme to acquire Deutsche Bank—never materialized. His current whereabouts are unknown, having changed his registered residence to the United Arab Emirates in 2023.