Queen pressed for Andrew to become trade envoy in 2001 – as documents reveal he demanded trips to ‘sophisticated countries’ preferred ‘ballet rather than theatre’ and refused to play golf in public

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth ‘very much wanted’ Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be UK trade ambassador; Before making his own demands about wanting to take trips to ‘sophisticated countries’, according to newly released documents relating to his appointment in 2001.

Sir David Wright, then chief executive of British Trade International, said Her Majesty wanted his second son to take on ‘a significant role in promoting the national interest’.

The late Queen believed Andrew was ‘naturally suited’ to succeed his cousin, the Duke of Kent, after he completed his Royal Navy service in July 2001.

He pushed for Andrew to become trade envoy and it emerged today that he was appointed without any review.

The memo was released on Thursday as part of a series of dossiers related to Andrew’s appointment, which gave him access to senior government and business contacts around the world.

‘The Queen’s wish is for the Duke of York to succeed the Duke of Kent,’ Sir David wrote in a note to then foreign secretary Robin Cook in February 2000, just before Andrew’s appointment.

‘The Duke of Kent will relinquish his responsibilities around April next year. This would have been a fitting end to the Duke of York’s active naval career. The Queen is keen for the Duke of York to take on a significant role in promoting the national interest.

‘No other member of the Royal Family will succeed the Duke of Kent. Embracing the role of the Duke of York seems like a natural fit.’

Sir David suggested his role would include some regional tours and two or three overseas visits each year, as well as ‘an occasional leading trade mission’.

But before taking up his post, Andrew complained about trips to underdeveloped countries while working as a UK trade envoy.

The former prince lamented having an aide visit certain states for taxpayer-funded work; it was a mission that led to his arrest in 2026. The letter stated that she “tends to prefer more sophisticated countries” and “prefers ballet over theatre.”

Sir David Wright, British Business International’s chairman, said in his newly published letter that the Queen wanted Andrew to take a ‘significant role in promoting the national interest’.

Andrew’s views on his work for Tony Blair were revealed in 11 dossiers on the disgraced former Duke of York released today at 10 Downing Street.

Andrew’s travel preferences were revealed in a letter dated January 25, 2000, from Protocol Division Chief Kathryn Colvin.

He explained that his Principal Private Secretary, Captain Blair, had told him that Andrew preferred visits.

But Captain Blair warned him: ‘The Duke of York should not be offered golfing events abroad. This was a private activity and he would not be playing in public if he took his clubs with him.’

The documents, released following a motion by Liberal Democrat MPs, shed further light on his discussions with the New Labor government at the time.

The party, led by Sir Ed Davey, today criticized the ‘little paper trail’ released by the Government over Andrew’s appointment in 2001.

Wendy Chamberlain, the Liberal Democrats’ chief deputy, said: ‘It is shocking and deeply disturbing that Andrew has been appointed to the role of trade envoy without any review. No one should be above these standards. This raises serious questions about why officials and ministers at the time thought this was acceptable.

‘The lack of documentation provided is alarming in itself, as is the time taken to get this far. We must get all the files from the government without delay and provide an explanation as to why there is such a small paper trail. And the Government must commit to mandatory review of all similar appointments in the future.

‘The victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and the justice they have been denied for years remain at the forefront of our minds as this continues.

‘We must hold a comprehensive public inquiry into Epstein, his links to the British establishment and the abuse he and his associates perpetrated against women and girls here in the UK.’

Peter Mandelson is accused of disclosing sensitive information to their mutual friend, pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, while working as Secretary of Commerce.

The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on February 19, his 66th birthday, followed allegations that he shared sensitive information with the late pedophile financier while working as a trade ambassador.

Mandelson and Andrew, who were arrested after the Epstein Files were published in the USA, claim that they had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and that his name being mentioned in the files is not an indication of guilt.

Both men were released under investigation and denied any wrongdoing.

Andrew enjoyed visiting ‘sophisticated’ countries and did not play golf abroad as he considered this a ‘private’ passion.

Andrew (center) in Bahrain as trade ambassador in 2014, flanked by Prince Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa (left) and Crown Prince and Bahraini Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa (right).

Their cases will eventually be considered by the CPS Special Crime Section, which deals with the most sensitive and complex cases.

It has previously been reported that detectives investigating Andrew may seek to broaden the scope of their investigation beyond misconduct in public office offenses where it is difficult to prosecute.

Police sources have claimed the former Duke of York could be investigated for other potential corruption offenses alongside a wider investigation into sex trafficking allegations.

Andrew has been pursued for more than 15 years over allegations about his relationship with Epstein, and his arrest has plunged the monarchy into a constitutional crisis.

Andrew appears to have forwarded official reports to the financier regarding his trips to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam in 2010 and 2011, according to emails released by the US Department of Justice.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley tried to pressure US authorities to speed up the release of unredacted cables in the files.