Queen Elizabeth pushed to get her son Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in a ‘prominent role in the promotion of national interests’, newly released files show.
The government has published a tranche of documents relating to Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a top UK trade envoy by Tony Blair’s government in 2001.
They show the discussions that took place around the selection of the former Duke of York to step into the shoes of the Duke of Kent as an envoy for government body British Trade International (BTI).
One letter from the then-boss of BTI David Wright to then-Foreign Secretary Robin Cook recounted a meeting with the Queen’s Private Secretary Robin Janvrin.
It said: ‘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.’
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Later, it is explained in a telegram to all trade staff that Mountbatten-Windsor would ‘undertake a more active role’ than the Queen’s cousin at BTI.
In one letter detailing his interests in the field, the Head of Protocol Division Kathryn Colvin lists among his preferences ‘youth (including primary schools and outward bound projects)’ and ‘cultural events, with a preference for ballet rather than theatre’.
The former royal served as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment for a decade before stepping down amid controversy over his expenses in 2011.
He was stripped of his titles, including both prince and Duke of York, last year following revelations about his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Today’s release of documents comes after the Liberal Democrats tabled a humble address calling for communications around the appointment to be made public.
Trade minister Chris Bryant told MPs this morning the government had found no evidence a formal due diligence or vetting process was undertaken or even considered before the selection of Mountbatten-Windsor for the role.
In a written statement, he said: ‘This is understandable since this new appointment was a continuation of the Royal Family’s involvement in trade and investment promotion work following the Duke of Kent’s decision to relinquish his duties as Vice-Chairman of the Overseas Trade Board.’
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested at his Sandringham home in February, and spent around 12 hours in police detention before being released under investigation.
He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
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