Good Morning Britain issued a breaking news update on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Friday morning. The former Prince is back in the headlines after it emerged that the late Queen was 'very keen' for her son to become a trade envoy in 2000.
It has been revealed in newly released files that Queen Elizabeth II wanted Andrew to take on a 'prominent role in the promotion of national interests'. Discussing the news on the ITV daytime programme, presenters Ranvir Singh and Paul Brand were sitting among 'Breaking News' banners in the studio.
Following the update, Paul explained: 'Looking at the way he was treated by his own mother, the late Queen, this idea that he should be parachuted into that role, and even in these notes that were passed to Government ministers, they were told he intended to prefer the more sophisticated countries. Picking or choosing which countries you go to seems to be what they are insinuating there.'
Guest presenter Salma Shah, joined by Baroness Jacqui Smith, added: 'I think some of the stuff that has come out is pretty shocking, but the role was taken on from the Duke of Kent, so this was something that was supposed to be a role taken up by the royal family. You can imagine the late Queen looking around thinking, "Ok the Duke of York, as was, is the perfect person we can put in there." Why perfect? Because he's a member of the Royal Family, he's available.'
The breaking news banners returned an hour later, when Good Morning Britain revisited the topic with royal biography author Robert Hardman and royal expert Chris Ship. The memo from 2000 sees then-chief executive of British Trade International Sir David Wright saying it had been Queen Elizabeth's 'wish' for Andrew to take on the job.
Ministers agreed in February to publish documents related to Andrew's appointment to the post, which gave him access to senior government and business contacts globally. Sir David, the former ambassador, said he had a 'wide-ranging discussion' with the Queen's private secretary before suggesting a 'suitable role' would be sought for her son, who was then in the Royal Navy. He also suggested the role would include some regional trips and two or three overseas visits each year, as well as a 'leading trade mission from time to time'.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
