The British government said on Thursday it found no evidence that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor underwent any vetting before being appointed as a trade envoy in 2001. The disclosure came alongside the release of official documents showing that his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, had supported his appointment to the role. The papers were released after opposition MPs sought all records connected to the establishment of the post of “Special Representative for Trade and Investment” and Prince Andrew’s controversial selection for the position. He was appointed trade envoy in 2001 but resigned ten years later following scrutiny over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The embattled royal was briefly arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office after the US Department of Justice (DOJ) published documents in connection with the investigation into Epstein, raising questions about his relationship with the financier while he was a trade envoy.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-vanessa-trump-breast-cancer-diagnosis-donald-trump-jr-1779365736602"> Who Is Vanessa Trump? Former model and Donald Trump Jr ex-wife diagnosed with breast cancer</a> Following his arrest, the Liberal Democrats of Britain, an opposition party, made a “humble address” and requested the ministers to publish all available documents on the appointment of Mountbatten-Windsor. Chris Bryant, a trade minister, said on Thursday: “We have found no evidence that a formal due diligence or vetting process was undertaken. There is also no evidence that this was considered.” Chris Bryant said the decision was “understandable”, arguing that Prince Andrew’s appointment was effectively a continuation of the royal family’s longstanding role in promoting Britain’s trade and investment interests. A 41-page dossier released by the British government also revealed that the late Queen Elizabeth II had actively backed her son’s appointment as trade envoy.<h3>Trade envoy role</h3>In a February 2000 memo addressed to then Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, David Wright, who headed British Trade International at the time, wrote that it was “the Queen’s wish” for Prince Andrew to take up the trade envoy role, adding that the position would “fit well” with the conclusion of his career in the British Navy. “The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests,” Wright wrote at the time. While serving as trade envoy, Mountbatten-Windsor travelled the world and met senior personalities in business and government. In the released documents on Thursday, a British diplomat wrote that Mountbatten-Windsor had a preference for visiting “more sophisticated countries” and “should not be offered golfing functions abroad.” Later, Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal title last year as his brother, King Charles III, sought to protect the royal family from the backlash surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.&nbsp;

The UK government found no evidence that Prince Andrew underwent vetting before his 2001 trade envoy appointment, which released papers show was backed by Queen Elizabeth II. He resigned in 2011 and was recently arrested in February 2026 amid ties to the Epstein scandal.

The British government said on Thursday it found no evidence that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor underwent any vetting before being appointed as a trade envoy in 2001. The disclosure came alongside the release of official documents showing that his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, had supported his appointment to the role. The papers were released after opposition MPs sought all records connected to the establishment of the post of “Special Representative for Trade and Investment” and Prince Andrew’s controversial selection for the position. He was appointed trade envoy in 2001 but resigned ten years later following scrutiny over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The embattled royal was briefly arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office after the US Department of Justice (DOJ) published documents in connection with the investigation into Epstein, raising questions about his relationship with the financier while he was a trade envoy. Also read: Who Is Vanessa Trump? Former model and Donald Trump Jr ex-wife diagnosed with breast cancer Following his arrest, the Liberal Democrats of Britain, an opposition party, made a “humble address” and requested the ministers to publish all available documents on the appointment of Mountbatten-Windsor. Chris Bryant, a trade minister, said on Thursday: “We have found no evidence that a formal due diligence or vetting process was undertaken. There is also no evidence that this was considered.” Chris Bryant said the decision was “understandable”, arguing that Prince Andrew’s appointment was effectively a continuation of the royal family’s longstanding role in promoting Britain’s trade and investment interests. A 41-page dossier released by the British government also revealed that the late Queen Elizabeth II had actively backed her son’s appointment as trade envoy. Trade envoy role In a February 2000 memo addressed to then Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, David Wright, who headed British Trade International at the time, wrote that it was “the Queen’s wish” for Prince Andrew to take up the trade envoy role, adding that the position would “fit well” with the conclusion of his career in the British Navy. “The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests,” Wright wrote at the time. While serving as trade envoy, Mountbatten-Windsor travelled the world and met senior personalities in business and government. In the released documents on Thursday, a British diplomat wrote that Mountbatten-Windsor had a preference for visiting “more sophisticated countries” and “should not be offered golfing functions abroad.” Later, Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal title last year as his brother, King Charles III, sought to protect the royal family from the backlash surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

The UK government found no evidence that Prince Andrew underwent vetting before his 2001 trade envoy appointment, which released papers show was backed by Queen Elizabeth II. He resigned in 2011 and was recently arrested in February 2026 amid ties to the Epstein scandal.

No vetting for former Prince Andrew before trade envoy role, UK govt documents reveal

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government is writing to the Commonwealth realms on Tuesday about its backing for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince Andrew, to be axed from the line of royal succession.Albanese said he had communicated with his British counterpart Keir Starmer about Andrew, who is being investigated for alleged misconduct in public office following revelations about his dealings with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Britain would have to initiate any change to the line of royal succession -- but it would need the agreement of the 14 other Commonwealth realms that have King Charles III as head of state, he said."Australia likes being first and we have made sure that everyone knows what our position is and we'll be writing today to the other realm countries as well, informing them of our position," Albanese told public broadcaster ABC.The prime minister said he had written to the heads of Australia's own states and territories, which would also need to agree to the change to the monarchy.In a letter to Starmer on Monday, Albanese said his government would agree to any proposal to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession, describing the allegations against him as "grave".Australians are "disgusted" by revelations about late US sex offender Epstein's relations with public figures and they wanted the government to be clear about its position, Albanese told the ABC."King Charles has said that the law must now take its full course. There must be a full, fair and proper investigation. And that needs to occur."The Prime Minister of New Zealand -- also a Commonwealth realm -- said Tuesday he would back the UK government if it decided to remove Andrew from the line of succession."We would definitely support whatever they come to," Christopher Luxon told reporters."The bottom line is no one is above the law, and once that investigation is closed, should the UK government decide to remove him from the line of succession, that is something we would support."- Unprecedented -Andrew's arrest last week was unprecedented in modern British history.Starmer's official spokesman said Monday the British government was not ruling out any steps in relation to the disgraced prince but it would not be appropriate to comment further during the police investigation.Albanese ruled out holding a vote on turning Australia into a republic; however, despite his support for having an Australian head of state."I'm a republican. His Majesty King Charles is very aware of that as well. But the government doesn't have any plans to hold a referendum," he said."We're concentrating on cost-of-living measures and providing that immediate support for Australians is our priority at this point in time."Australia was a British colony for more than 100 years and gained de facto independence in 1901, but has never become a fully fledged republic.In a 1999 referendum, Australians narrowly voted against removing then Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

"Australia likes being first and we have made sure that everyone knows what our position is and we'll be writing today to the other realm countries as well, informing them of our position," Albanese said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government is writing to the Commonwealth realms on Tuesday about its backing for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince Andrew, to be axed from the line of royal succession. Albanese said he had communicated with his British counterpart Keir Starmer about Andrew, who is being investigated for alleged misconduct in public office following revelations about his dealings with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Britain would have to initiate any change to the line of royal succession -- but it would need the agreement of the 14 other Commonwealth realms that have King Charles III as head of state, he said. "Australia likes being first and we have made sure that everyone knows what our position is and we'll be writing today to the other realm countries as well, informing them of our position," Albanese told public broadcaster ABC. The prime minister said he had written to the heads of Australia's own states and territories, which would also need to agree to the change to the monarchy. In a letter to Starmer on Monday, Albanese said his government would agree to any proposal to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession, describing the allegations against him as "grave". Australians are "disgusted" by revelations about late US sex offender Epstein's relations with public figures and they wanted the government to be clear about its position, Albanese told the ABC. "King Charles has said that the law must now take its full course. There must be a full, fair and proper investigation. And that needs to occur." The Prime Minister of New Zealand -- also a Commonwealth realm -- said Tuesday he would back the UK government if it decided to remove Andrew from the line of succession. "We would definitely support whatever they come to," Christopher Luxon told reporters. "The bottom line is no one is above the law, and once that investigation is closed, should the UK government decide to remove him from the line of succession, that is something we would support." - Unprecedented - Andrew's arrest last week was unprecedented in modern British history. Starmer's official spokesman said Monday the British government was not ruling out any steps in relation to the disgraced prince but it would not be appropriate to comment further during the police investigation. Albanese ruled out holding a vote on turning Australia into a republic; however, despite his support for having an Australian head of state. "I'm a republican. His Majesty King Charles is very aware of that as well. But the government doesn't have any plans to hold a referendum," he said. "We're concentrating on cost-of-living measures and providing that immediate support for Australians is our priority at this point in time." Australia was a British colony for more than 100 years and gained de facto independence in 1901, but has never become a fully fledged republic. In a 1999 referendum, Australians narrowly voted against removing then Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Australians are "disgusted" by revelations about late US sex offender Epstein's relations with public figures and they wanted the government to be clear about its position, said Albanese.

Australia 'disgusted' by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's vile Epstein links, demands removal from line of succession

A senior US politician on Thursday claimed over the viral footage that the woman who is on the floor under Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at Jeffrey Epstein's New York mansion is a sex trafficking victim. There were two pieces of footage related to this scene were released in the Epstein files on January 30.&nbsp;While the circumstances surrounding the images remain unclear, California Congressman Ted Lieu displayed them during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, DC, on Tuesday. Lieu suggested the woman may have been a victim of sex trafficking as he questioned US Attorney General Pam Bondi about why Andrew has never faced prosecution, according to a report in the Daily Mail.<h3>Andrew denies his wrongdoing</h3>"Please put the photos back up, we are looking at a sex trafficking victim under the federal Victims Trafficking Protection Act. Not only is Jeffrey Epstein guilty, but anyone who patronised Epstein's sex operation is also guilty of a crime. That's why I find it absolutely despicable that you sought to protect Epstein's clients, like former Prince Andrew," California Congressman Ted Lieu said.&nbsp;"These two photos staring you in the face are evidence of a crime, and more than enough evidence to predicate an investigation against former Prince Andrew. So I asked you, Attorney General Counsel, why did you shut down this investigation last July? And why have you not prosecuted former Prince Andrew?, he questioned.&nbsp;In the latest release, the Department of Justice of the US has published over three million documents related to Epstein. The released file has never come up with charges against former Prince Andrew. All the women in connection with Epstein were described by the US as sex trafficking victims under federal law, but in the case of the woman in the Andrew photos. In response to the footage, Andrew has continuously denied his wrongdoing.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-locked-and-loaded-after-uss-abraham-lincoln-us-mobilises-missile-launchers-in-qatar-1770747308527">'Locked and loaded': After USS Abraham Lincoln, US mobilises missile launchers in Qatar</a> &nbsp;

While the circumstances surrounding the images remain unclear, California Congressman Ted Lieu displayed them during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, DC, on Tuesday. 

A senior US politician on Thursday claimed over the viral footage that the woman who is on the floor under Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at Jeffrey Epstein's New York mansion is a sex trafficking victim. There were two pieces of footage related to this scene were released in the Epstein files on January 30. While the circumstances surrounding the images remain unclear, California Congressman Ted Lieu displayed them during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, DC, on Tuesday. Lieu suggested the woman may have been a victim of sex trafficking as he questioned US Attorney General Pam Bondi about why Andrew has never faced prosecution, according to a report in the Daily Mail. Andrew denies his wrongdoing "Please put the photos back up, we are looking at a sex trafficking victim under the federal Victims Trafficking Protection Act. Not only is Jeffrey Epstein guilty, but anyone who patronised Epstein's sex operation is also guilty of a crime. That's why I find it absolutely despicable that you sought to protect Epstein's clients, like former Prince Andrew," California Congressman Ted Lieu said. "These two photos staring you in the face are evidence of a crime, and more than enough evidence to predicate an investigation against former Prince Andrew. So I asked you, Attorney General Counsel, why did you shut down this investigation last July? And why have you not prosecuted former Prince Andrew?, he questioned. In the latest release, the Department of Justice of the US has published over three million documents related to Epstein. The released file has never come up with charges against former Prince Andrew. All the women in connection with Epstein were described by the US as sex trafficking victims under federal law, but in the case of the woman in the Andrew photos. In response to the footage, Andrew has continuously denied his wrongdoing. Also read: 'Locked and loaded': After USS Abraham Lincoln, US mobilises missile launchers in Qatar

While the circumstances surrounding the images remain unclear, California Congressman Ted Lieu displayed them during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, DC, on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Woman in Epstein footage lying on floor under Prince Andrew was sex trafficking victim, US lawmaker claims

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No vetting for former Prince Andrew before trade envoy role, UK govt documents reveal

Australia demands Andrew's removal from line of succession over Epstein links

Woman in Epstein footage with Andrew was sex trafficking victim, lawmaker claims