Queen Elizabeth II 'keen' for Prince Andrew to be trade envoy, files show

Late Queen was 'very keen' for Andrew to be given trade envoy role

Queen Elizabeth II was "very keen" for her son Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to become a trade envoy in 2000, according to newly released files.

The files relating to Mountbatten-Windsor's trade envoy role were released by the government in response to a request by Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats.

The Queen wanted her son to take on a "prominent role in the promotion of national interests", then-chief executive of British Trade International Sir David Wright said in a memo to then-foreign secretary Robin Cook, dated February 2000.

Mountbatten-Windsor acted as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment until 2011.

Sir Ed made a "humble address" in Parliament on 24 February, asking the government to release all papers relating to the creation of the position for Mountbatten-Windsor.

His request came just days after Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office relating to the alleged sharing of confidential material with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was later released under investigation.

Mountbatten-Windsor has always rejected any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein and denied any personal gain from his role as trade envoy.

One of the letters released as part of the documents expressed that Mountbatten-Windsor had a preference for visiting "the more sophisticated countries".

The letter is dated 25 January 2000 and is written by British diplomat Kathryn Colvin, but it is not clear who the letter was for.

It includes notes from a meeting between Colvin and Captain Neil Blair, Mountbatten-Windsor's then-private secretary.

The letter states that Prince Andrew was "particularly good on high-tech matters, trade, youth (including primary schools and outward bound projects), cultural events, with a preference for ballet rather than theatre, the Commonwealth and military and foreign affairs".

One line reads: "Captain Blair particularly asked that The Duke of York should not be offered golfing functions abroad. This was a private activity and if he took his clubs with him he would not play in any public sense."

Another of the documents released on Thursday is an internal telegram to staff of British Trade International - an organisation set up by the government to promote trade - that confirmed Andrew's appointment as a "special representative".

Sent on 25 September 2001, it reads: "We envisage a programme overseas based around two major regional visits per year. Other visits overseas will be considered, depending on budget and other constraints."

The telegram advised of the need for "careful and sometimes strict media management", and "initial proposals should contain the outline of a media strategy".

The files, shared by the Department for Business and Trade, includes a foreword which explains that the government "acknowledges that there is a long-standing convention of confidentiality in relation to communications with or on behalf of the Sovereign".

However, it said that in this "exceptional case" it has decided to release the communications about Mountbatten-Windsor's "overseas visits, advice to the late Queen on his role, and the views of the late Queen on developing the Special Representative role for him".

Some of the pages include heavy redactions. Trade Minister Chris Bryant says this is to remove the "bare minimum" of personal information and information that would prejudice international relations.

Among the files is a media Q&A on the appointment of Mountbatten-Windsor from 2001. It states that he would not be paid for the role but that his travel, related expenses, and those of his supporting staff would be covered.

It adds that there has "never been a demand for any payment for office expenses" despite speculation, stating that it was "made clear from the start" that only expenses incurred in the role would be covered.

However, in February whistleblowing retired civil servants told the BBC that Mountbatten-Windsor charged taxpayers for excessive travel costs and massages while working in the UK trade envoy role.

The Q&A document also said that Mountbatten-Windsor would be "promoting the interests of British-based industry as a whole" in his role.

Responding to a statement from Conservative shadow minister Dame Harriett Baldwin after he had given a statement on the release, Sir Chris said: "I guarantee the House that if there is more to publish, I will come back to the House with more, but I suspect that this may be our last tranche."