Queen Elizabeth was 'very keen' for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to take on trade envoy role, new documents reveal
Andrew's past role has come under intense scrutiny in recent monthsThe late Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly “very keen” for her son Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to take on the role of UK’s trade envoy, new documents show.
Andrew’s previous role has come under intense scrutiny in recent months. In January, the US Department of Justice released millions of files relating to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Within these files, emails allegedly showed Andrew, who appeared to share a friendship with Epstein, forwarding confidential and sensitive information to the disgraced financier during his time as UK’s trade envoy.
Then, in February, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct public office. Hours after his arrest, police released Andrew, 66, under investigation.
Allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor over trade envoy role
Following the release of the Epstein files in January, Andrew was accused of sharing sensitive and confidential information with Epstein about his official work as a UK trade envoy.
He served as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. In 2010, Andrew allegedly forwarded official reports from trade visits to Epstein, according to the files.
The files also appear to show the former prince forwarded the disgraced financier information on investment opportunities in Afghanistan.
Under official guidance, trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial, or political information about their official visits.
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Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
Following his arrest, police released him under investigation. Now, documents have been released as part of a probe into Andrew’s conduct during his time in the role.
Queen Elizabeth II was ‘keen’ on Andrew having trade envoy role
Andrew’s late mother Queen Elizabeth II has now been dragged into the scandal.
As reported by the BBC, according to the newly-released documents, the late queen was “very keen” for Andrew to take on a “prominent role in the promotion of national interests”, then-chief executive of British Trade International Sir David Wright said in a memo to then-foreign secretary Robin Cook dated February 2000.
Addressing the then-foreign and trade secretaries on February 25, 2000, Wright wrote: “The Queen’s wish is that the Duke of Kent should be succeeded in this role by the Duke of York.
The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests.
“The Duke of Kent is to relinquish his responsibilities around April next year. That would fit well with the end of the Duke of York’s active naval career.
Read more: Inside Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ‘ghost town’ former home
“The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests.
“No other member of The Royal Family would be available to succeed the Duke of Kent. The Duke of York’s adoption of his role would seem a natural fit.”
Wright says he wrote the memo after a “wide ranging conversation with The Queen’s Private Secretary on Wednesday 23 February”.
‘The royals have access and leverage’
Following the released files emerging, anti-monarchy campaigners from Republic have hit out at Andrew’s past role.
Graham Smith, speaking on behalf of Republic, stated: “These latest files show the queen lobbying for her son to be given a high-status role for which he was wholly unqualified and unfit.
“Why does the government give the royals what they demand? What possible reason was Andrew made a trade ambassador? The reason is pressure from the royals who put their own interests first.”
He added: “The royals have access and leverage, which together with unequalled secrecy raise serious questions about undue influence.”
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
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