Documents show Queen Elizabeth backed ex-Prince Andrew as UK trade envoy
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Documents released reveal that Queen Elizabeth II was "very keen" for Prince Andrew to be appointed as Britain’s trade envoy in 2001, with little scrutiny from government ministers at the time.
- The appointment came despite concerns over Andrew's links to controversial figures, and he served as special envoy for international trade until 2011 when he was forced to step down.
- No formal due diligence or vetting process was found to have been conducted before his appointment, reflecting a continuation of royal family involvement in trade promotion roles.
- Officials expressed some reservations about Andrew's role, advising against public golfing functions and emphasizing the need for strict media management due to his high public profile.
- The release of these documents and ongoing investigations have intensified scrutiny of Andrew's conduct and raised broader questions about the influence of the British aristocracy and establishment.