LONDON — The U.K. government is set to release confidential papers on Thursday related to former Prince Andrew's 2001 appointment as trade envoy. Lawmakers approved a motion in February demanding publication of the documents concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment.

The government published 11 documents showing how the trade envoy role was created and how Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed to it. The first batch included a memo addressed to Robin Cook dated 25 February 2000 in which David Wright said Queen Elizabeth II's wish had been for Mountbatten-Windsor to take on the role.

"The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests," a letter from the head of Britain's trade body said. A government memo sent to U.K. trade staff around the world said, "HRH's high public profile will require careful and sometimes strict media management."

The 2000 memo outlined that Mountbatten-Windsor's role would include some regional trips and two or three overseas visits each year, and that he would lead a trade mission from time to time. It stated that he should receive prominent trade visitors in London and act as host at meals or receptions as appropriate, and that he did not need to attend regular meetings of the British Trade International board or handle the associated paperwork, but would be kept informed of board developments and issues.

Mountbatten-Windsor served as the U.K.'s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 to 2011 in an unpaid role that involved traveling worldwide to meet senior business and government figures. He gave up the role in 2011 because of concerns about his links to figures in Libya and Azerbaijan.

During a parliamentary debate, government ministers and other lawmakers demanded more accountability from the royal family regarding Mountbatten-Windsor's links to Jeffrey Epstein. Trade Minister Chris Bryant said, "Mountbatten-Windsor was engaged in a constant self-enriching hustle during his time as a working member of the royal family." Bryant also said, "Mountbatten-Windsor was a rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest."

In a written statement to lawmakers, Bryant said, "There is also no evidence that this was considered. This is understandable since this new appointment was a continuation of the royal family's involvement in trade and investment promotion work following the Duke of Kent's decision to relinquish his duties as Vice-Chairman of the Overseas Trade Board." He said the government was cooperating with Thames Valley Police on their investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor and possible misconduct in public office.

Mountbatten-Windsor became the first member of the royal family to be arrested in modern times when he was held on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19, 2026, on charges related to allegations that he shared government reports with Epstein while serving as trade envoy. He has denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. He was stripped of his royal title last year by King Charles III as part of efforts to insulate the monarchy from fallout from the Epstein scandal.