Queen’s ‘keenness’ for Andrew to be trade envoy was a grave mistake

The monarch may have thought the role would keep her ‘favourite’ second son out of trouble. How wrong she was

That Queen Elizabeth II was “very keen” for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to take on a “prominent role in the promotion of national interests” as a trade envoy in 2001 demonstrates the fierce support the late monarch always gave her second son.

Knowing he was “the spare”, and undoubtedly acutely aware of the pitfalls of that position – her sister, Princess Margaret, had struggled to find her own role – a mother’s instinct would be to protect, so far as she could.