British Government Releases Files on Duke of York's Trade Envoy Role

Historic files released by the British government on Thursday show that efforts were made to prevent Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from being offered golfing functions on foreign trips during his time as trade envoy. A letter dated January 25, 2000, written by Kathryn Colvin, then head of protocol at the Foreign Office, stated that Captain Neil Blair, Andrew's principal private secretary, had made the specific request.

"Captain Blair particularly asked that the Duke of York should not be offered golfing functions abroad," Ms Colvin wrote. The note explained that golf was considered a private activity and that Andrew would not play in any public sense if he took his clubs with him.

The documents also recorded Andrew's preferences for travel and activities. " Captain Blair described Andrew as particularly good on high-tech matters, trade, youth projects, cultural events, the Commonwealth, and military and foreign affairs. Andrew was appointed the UK's special representative for international trade and investment in 2001.

He received no salary for the role but incurred substantial travel expenses. He relinquished the position in 2011 amid controversy over his association with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein.