Late queen 'very keen' ex-prince Andrew had envoy role

The late Queen Elizabeth was "very keen" for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to take on a "prominent role in the promotion of national interests", a senior official told the then-foreign secretary before he was appointed trade envoy in 2001.

In a memo addressed to Robin Cook dated 25 February 2000, then-chief executive of British Trade International David Wright said Queen Elizabeth II's "wish" had been for Andrew, then the Duke of York, to take on the job.

Mr Wright 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".

He said: "Finally, we would want the Duke of York to be available to receive prominent trade visitors from overseas here in London and perhaps act as host at meals or receptions as appropriate."

The senior official said he "did not envisage that the Duke of York would want to be burdened with the regularity of meetings of the board of British Trade International or the burden of paper which goes along with the board membership".

He added: "We would nonetheless ensure that he was kept in touch with board developments and issues."

The memo has been released this morning as part of a trove of files related to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment to the post, which gave him access to senior government and business contacts around the world.

The former duke faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011.

It came after the Liberal Democrats tabled a humble address in Parliament calling for the publication of papers on Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's role, including any vetting and any correspondence from disgraced former ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson.

The list of Commons written statements due to be released today includes one from the Department of Business and Trade entitled "Return to the Humble Address on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor".

A ministerial statement on the publication of the files is also expected this afternoon.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released under investigation.

The former prince has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.