Prince Andrew Not Formally Vetted for Trade Envoy Role, Documents Show

LONDON — A cache of documents relating to the appointment of the former Prince Andrew as a trade envoy show he was not formally vetted for the role.

Lawmakers compelled the release of the documents in February as they seek to shed light on the thinking in government at the time of the decision to appoint him in 2001.

The files were published by the business department. In an accompanying written statement Trade Minister Chris Bryant said there is “no evidence that a formal due diligence or vetting process was undertaken. There is also no evidence that this was considered.”

Lawmakers had also wanted to see if Peter Mandelson, once a leading figure in the Labour Party, played a role in Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment when they called for the release.

Both Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Mandelson had longstanding associations with American financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his Royal title in 2025 over his association with Epstein, while Mandelson was sacked as U.K. ambassador to the United States last year after being appointed earlier the same year to the post by Keir Starmer.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and is being investigated by police. He has not been charged with the crime.

Bryant said in March that the government was “avoiding the publication of information that could prejudice the live Thames Valley Police investigation into Mr. Mountbatten‑Windsor’s conduct in public office.”

Mountbatten has strenuously and repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Mandelson has previously said he was wrong to have continued his association with Epstein, and apologized “unequivocally” to Epstein’s victims.