LONDON — Newly released government documents reveal that Queen Elizabeth II strongly advocated for the former Prince Andrew to receive the position of Britain’s trade envoy.
British officials made the confidential records public on Thursday concerning Andrew’s appointment to the role, coming just months after members of parliament criticized the king’s brother for prioritizing his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein over national duties.
“The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests,” the head of Britain’s trade body wrote in a letter.
A separate government memo distributed to British trade personnel worldwide indicated that “HRH’s high public profile” would necessitate “careful and sometimes strict media management,” referring to Andrew.
