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The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew

Posted by karenl on May 21, 2026, 8:13 pm

"The late Queen Elizabeth II wanted her second son, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, to be given a prominent role promoting ”national interests”.

Papers published by ministers show that the late Queen made it known that she was keen for Andrew to take on the role of trade envoy when her cousin, the Duke of Kent, decided to step back from it.

A memo to the then Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, written in 2000 by Sir David Wright, who was then chief executive of British Trade International, said ”The Queen’s wish is that the Duke of Kent should be succeeded in this role by the Duke of York.”

The memo continues ”The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take a prominent role in the promotion of national interests. No other member of the Royal Family would be available to succeed the Duke of Kent.”

And it concludes ”The Duke of York’s adoption of his role would be a very natural fit.”

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor took on the role in 2001, after the departure from it of the Duke of Kent.

The message is one of a number of papers shared by government ministers after the Liberal Democrats tabled a Humble Address calling for the publication of papers relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s role as trade envoy and also to any vetting and correspondence from Peter Mandelson."

https://royalcentral.co.uk/royal-news/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-12-217805/

Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew

Posted by Martha on May 21, 2026, 10:28 pm, in reply to "The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew"

He had a prominent role, plus honors and patronages. He blew it.

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Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew

Posted by karenl on May 21, 2026, 10:44 pm, in reply to "Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew"

Yes, he did. Greed, arrogance and entitlement plus Andrew was totally unsuitable for the trade envoy position, but the Queen wanted it.

Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew

Posted by Nellie on May 21, 2026, 10:55 pm, in reply to "The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew"

We are now getting stuff that shows the late Queen in a poor light.
I believe Blair and Mandelson also wanted Andrew in the job.

I believe Queen Elizabeth II reigned very well and defended the monarchy well. So I don't want to see all that wiped away.

So many institutions besides the royal family have been at fault for decades.

Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew

Posted by Hollie24 on May 22, 2026, 12:18 am, in reply to "Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew"

I wonder if the late Queen was aware of Andrew's extracurriccular activities and felt that sending him all over the world as a trade envoy would keep him too busy to indulge in said behaviors?

Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew

Posted by Nellie on May 22, 2026, 1:10 am, in reply to "Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew"

I doubt that.

Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew

Posted by karenl on May 22, 2026, 1:27 am, in reply to "Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew"

You're correct Nellie, QEII was a great Monarch and indeed, defended the Monarchy. Tony Blair was a big supporter of Andrew for trade envoy and pushed for it, Mandelson pushed it, too.
Andrew had just retired from the Navy, I believe and there still was the Fergie/John Bryan scandal hanging around. I believe the Queen wanted Andrew to hold an important position and be recognized for his work, he was the second son and the Queen's favorite, if the stories are correct. We'll never know her personal thoughts. I guess in one way she can't be faulted at the time for pushing for Andrew, she had no way of reading the future and what would happen in his handling of his position.

Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew

Posted by Nellie on May 22, 2026, 1:40 am, in reply to "Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew"

Often referred to as her blind spot.
There is more I could express but will leave it here.

Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew

Posted by Martha on May 22, 2026, 9:06 am, in reply to "Re: The Late Queen Wanted A "Prominent" Role For Andrew"

Elizabeth was a fabulous queen, and no one is trying to bury that. She wanted prominent and prestigious roles for her children, as any parent would. No one faults her for loving her son and seeing the best in him. The failure was with Andrew. He may have been indulged but ultimately he is a grown man and is responsible for his words, actions and decisions.

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