Queen Elizabeth Pushed For Son Andrew To Become Trade Envoy, Letter Shows

BreakingBusinessQueen Elizabeth Pushed For Son Andrew To Become Trade Envoy, Letter ShowsByMary Whitfill Roeloffs,Forbes Staff. Mary Roeloffs is a Forbes breaking news reporter covering pop culture.Follow AuthorMay 21, 2026, 09:35am EDTToplineNewly released documents related to ex-prince Andrew's appointment as U.K. trade envoy show his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, pushed heavily for her son to be given the role in another show of a softness she’s said to have held for her son despite allegations of misconduct tied to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew on June 1, 2013 in Epsom, England.UK Press via Getty ImagesKey FactsAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor, brother of King Charles III, served as a trade envoy from 2001 to 2011 after his mother told Britain’s trade body she was "very keen" for him to take on a "prominent role in the promotion of national interests," the agency wrote in a newly released letter. Trade Minister Chris Bryant told lawmakers Mountbatten-Windsor was given the role with no formal due diligence or vetting process.Lawmakers in Britain approved a motion in February demanding documents about Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment be released with Ed Davey, the member of parliament who led the demand, saying he, in part, wanted to ensure U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson played no role in the appointment after Mandelson was fired over his own Epstein ties. The documents show no link between Mandelson and the appointment. Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal title by his brother last year, was arrested in February "on suspicion of misconduct in public office" after he allegedly sent Epstein emails about his official trips to Singapore, Vietnam, Shenzhen and Hong Kong and shared a confidential briefing about investment in reconstruction in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province in 2010.He was held for 11 hours of questioning after his arrest but was then released and no charges have...