Queen Elizabeth II personally pushed for Prince Andrew to become a trade envoy, and he was not vetted for the role, according to newly released government documents. A memo from Sir David Wright, then chief executive of British Trade International, dated February 2000, stated that the late Queen was “very keen” for the Duke of York to take on a “prominent role in the promotion of national interests” as a special representative for trade.
The memo, addressed to Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, indicated that the Queen wished Andrew to succeed the Duke of Kent. Sir David proposed that the role would involve regional trips, two or three overseas visits a year, and occasional leading trade missions. He added that Andrew would host prominent overseas trade visitors in London.
Junior Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant confirmed in a written statement that no formal due diligence or security vetting was carried out for Andrew’s appointment. He told MPs it was standard not to vet members of the royal family at the time. The lack of vetting has drawn criticism from Labour MP Sarah Owen and the Liberal Democrats, who called it “shocking and deeply troubling.”
Another document revealed that Andrew’s aide told ministers the prince preferred visits to “sophisticated countries” and to see ballet rather than theatre, but “should not be offered private golfing functions abroad”. Andrew served as special representative for trade and investment from 2001 to 2011, facing criticism over expenses and his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew stepped down amid the Epstein scandal and later settled a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked to him. He was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released under investigation. The government has worked with Thames Valley Police to ensure released files do not prejudice the investigation.
