Queen’s ‘keenness’ for Andrew to be trade envoy was a grave mistake

Queen Elizabeth II's strong support for her son, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, to assume a role as a trade envoy in 2001 is now viewed as a significant misstep, as it was intended to keep him out of trouble. This decision reflects the late monarch's protective instincts towards her second son, who was often seen as the 'spare' in the royal family.

The implications of this decision highlight the complexities of royal family dynamics and the potential consequences of favoritism, raising questions about the effectiveness of such roles in promoting national interests and the challenges faced by those in the royal spotlight.