"Andrew in Epstein Scandal... UK Documents Reveal Queen Wanted His Appointment as Envoy"

UK Releases Memo Reflecting Late Queen Elizabeth's Wish
Allegations of Confidential Leaks to Epstein During Andrew's Tenure as Envoy
Andrew Stripped of Royal Status Amid Controversy Over Epstein Ties

It has been revealed that the late Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom expressed to the government her wish for her second son, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, to be appointed as a trade envoy.

The late Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom's second son, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. Photo by AP News Agency

Yonhap News reported on the 21st (local time), citing British media including the BBC, that "the UK government has released confidential documents regarding the appointment of Envoy Andrew." The documents include a memo from February 2000 written by David Wright, who was then the head of UK Trade & Investment, after a conversation with the Queen's aide.

In the memo, Wright stated, "The Queen's wish is for this role to be passed from the Duke of Kent (her cousin, Prince Edward) to the Duke of York (Andrew)." He also wrote, "(Andrew) could undertake two or three overseas trade promotion visits each year" and that he "is expected to meet prominent foreign figures and, when necessary, host lunches or receptions."

Following this appointment, Andrew served as the United Kingdom's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment from 2001 to 2011. Previously, the 'Epstein files' released by the U.S. Department of Justice contained allegations that Andrew leaked confidential information, including official reports of visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore, to Epstein while serving as envoy. On February 19 of this year, Andrew was arrested by police on charges of misconduct in public office but was released the same day pending investigation.

The controversy surrounding Andrew began with his long-standing relationship with Epstein. In 2021, one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre, filed a civil lawsuit accusing Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was 17 years old. Andrew settled the case in 2022 by paying an undisclosed amount. At the time of the settlement, while he acknowledged that Epstein had sexually exploited many underage girls, he denied any wrongdoing on his own part.

King Charles III of the United Kingdom. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News Agency

In October 2025, ahead of the publication of Giuffre's memoir, Charles III officially stripped Andrew of all royal titles—including his title as Prince and the honorific HRH (His Royal Highness)—one week after Andrew voluntarily relinquished his title as Duke of York. As a result, Andrew lost his status as a member of the royal family and is now referred to as "Andrew Mountbatten Windsor." Buckingham Palace stated at the time, "The deep sympathies of Their Majesties are with all victims of abuse in any form."

In February, shortly after Andrew's arrest on charges of misconduct in public office, the UK House of Commons passed a motion demanding the release of related documents. The Cabinet under Prime Minister Starmer also supported the motion, ensuring its passage, and the UK government released all relevant documents on that day. With the release of Wright's memo, some have pointed out that the documents reaffirm the perception that the Queen protected her second son.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.