Duke of York Pays Tribute to ‘Mummy’ Queen Elizabeth for Her ‘Love, Compassion and Care’

The Duke of York has paid tribute to his mother the Queen, saying: “Mummy, your love for a son, your compassion, your care, your confidence I will treasure forever.”

The Duke of York added: "As our book of experiences closes, another opens, and I will forever hold you close to my heart with my deepest love and gratitude, and I will tread gladly into the next with you as my guide."

Prince Andrew, 62, has taken part in the vigils next to his mother's coffin in recent days, alongside his siblings.

Prince Andrew Is Stripped of Military Titles as Sexual Abuse Case Proceeds

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Buckingham Palace said Andrew would not undertake any public duties and was defending his case as a private citizen.

Prince Andrew in 2019. The prince will no longer use the title “His Royal Highness.” | .John Thys/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
LONDON — Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, has been forced to relinquish his military titles and royal charities, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday, a stinging rebuke by the British royal family a day after a federal judge in New York allowed a sexual abuse case against him to go ahead.

The palace said that Andrew, 61, who has been accused by Virginia Giuffre of raping her while she was a teenager, would also no longer use the title “His Royal Highness,” a prized symbol of his status as a senior member of the royal family. In a terse statement, the palace said that Andrew would “continue not to undertake any public duties” and that he “is defending this case as a private citizen.”

Andrew, who is also known as the Duke of York, has denied Ms. Giuffre’s allegations, which date from a period in which he was friendly with the financier and convicted sex predator Jeffrey Epstein. The duke’s lawyers tried to get her lawsuit dismissed, but the judge, Lewis A. Kaplan, ruled against him on Wednesday.

The decision by Buckingham Palace completes a stunning fall from grace for a man who was once one of the royal family’s most popular members — a dashing war hero and eligible bachelor — but who has since become a disgraced figure, left to explain why he associated with a convicted criminal like Mr. Epstein. » | Mark Landler | Thursday, January 13, 2022

‘Chucked under royal bus’: Prince Andrew’s demotion shows institution’s ruthlessness: Analysis: Duke of York’s loss of royal patronages and military titles reveals inner workings of family »

Prince Charles and William demanded Andrew's exile: Shamed Duke of York was stripped of titles at crisis summit with Queen in attempt to 'ensure the survival of the Royal Family at all costs' as he faces sex assault lawsuit: Palace sources said the 'ruthless and swift' decision had been 'widely discussed' within the Royal Family / Duke of York will be banned from using the styling 'HRH' in an official capacity, according to royal source / News is a further blow for Andrew as he considers whether to press ahead with trial or settle with accuser / Experts say the duke must do a deal 'for the sake of the Queen', who is entering her Platinum Jubilee year / He was spotted today in the back of a Range Rover while being driven from his home in Windsor Great Park »

Prince Andrew Attacked for Opening Door to Arms Dealers
THE AUSTRALIAN: PRINCE Andrew, the Duke of York was criticised for "opening doors for arms dealers" yesterday, while senior business and political figures gave their backing to his role as a government trade envoy.

Prince Andrew arrived back from his visit to Indonesia, which is seeking the lifting of a British arms export ban so that it can buy military jets.

His trip took place six weeks after David Cameron was criticised for promoting the sale of British weapons in Egypt as the country went through a bloody revolution.

It was his first trip as trade envoy since the revelation of his links to an American sex offender and support for deals with countries with questionable human rights records.

During the three-day trip he met President Yudhoyono and Mari Pangestu, the Indonesian Trade Minister, both of whom he had also met in Switzerland in January.

The Times revealed last month that Indonesia has made an informal approach to acquire as many as 24 Eurofighter Typhoon jets in a deal worth up to pounds 5billion ($7.7 billion AUD). Separately, BAE Systems has offered to upgrade the country's Hawk aircraft.

Gerald Howarth, the Defence Minister, attended a defence summit in Jakarta last month where he said that he expected to discuss sales of the Typhoon.

Sales of military equipment to Indonesia were banned in 1999 after reports that the Hawks were used to attack civilians in East Timor and West Papau.

Kaye Stearman, a spokeswoman for Campaign Against Arms Trade, said that Indonesia bought half of its military equipment from Britain in the five years leading up to the export ban.

"It seems that Prince Andrew's role is to open doors to arms deals rather than to do the actual negotiation," Ms Stearman said. "People in some of these countries are still impressed by the British royalty, but it is highly damaging for the Royal Family to be associated with such deals." » | David Brown | The Times | Monday, April 11, 2011

Prince Andrew in New 'Cash for Favours' Row
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Duke of York has been engulfed in a new “cash-for-favours” row after a close friend paid off £50,000 of his ex-wife’s debts.

David Rowland, a financier once described as “shady” in Parliament, gave the sum to the Duchess of York’s former press spokesman Kate Waddington, whom the Duchess owed in the region of £85,000.

In 2009, the Duke opened Mr Rowland’s bank in Luxembourg in his official capacity as Britain’s special representative for international trade and investment, despite the fact that the one-day visit was not officially sanctioned by the Government department in charge of promoting British business abroad.

While the vast majority of the Duke’s overseas visits are funded by UK Trade & Investment, Buckingham Palace admitted that the Duke had paid for the trip to Luxembourg to open Banque Havilland personally.

The disclosure that Mr Rowland has paid off a large part of what the Duchess owed Miss Waddington will add to concerns that the Duke is abusing his position for his own personal benefit. >>> Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter | Saturday, March 12, 2011

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Sack the Duke of York as Trade Envoy, Says Former Ambassador
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Exclusive: The Duke of York should be sacked as trade envoy “as soon as possible” because he is doing “serious damage” to the Royal family and to Britain, a former ambassador has told ministers.

Stephen Day, a former head of the Foreign Office’s Middle East section, took the highly unusual step of writing to three Whitehall departments, making an impassioned plea for the Government to end the Duke’s “embarrassing” activities.

Mr Day, whose letter has been obtained by The Daily Telegraph, said the Duke was the “worst person” to deploy in countries such as Qatar, where his presence was seen as “crass”.

He also alleged that the Duke had held a “worrying” private meeting with Col Gaddafi three years ago at the home of Sakher el-Materi, the son-in-law of the recently ousted Tunisian president, and described by Mr Day as “the worst of all the crooks in the presidential family”.

In another development, The Daily Telegraph has learnt that the Duke could be asked to give evidence in two separate legal cases involving his friend Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted paedophile.

The latest disclosures will increase pressure on the Duke to resign as Britain’s special representative for trade and investment, following weeks of controversy over his relationships with Mr Epstein and a host of other business contacts. The Duke has faced questions over his friendships with billionaires and politicians in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tunisia, Libya and Turkmenistan. >>> Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter | Thursday, March 10, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Stephen Day's letter: Royal envoys are 'crass and insulting' – Here is a full transcript of the letter in which Stephen Day, a former ambassador, urges ministers to sack the Duke of York as trade envoy. >>> | Thursday, March 10, 2011

Andrew's Trip to Yemen Was Followed by Arms Deal
THE INDEPENDENT: The Government licensed the sale of £160,000 worth of bullets and body armour to the Yemeni government after Prince Andrew met the country's Prime Minister for trade talks.

It was the Duke of York's third meeting in quick succession with leaders of the small Arab republic, which has been ruled with an iron hand for more than 20 years by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, but is now experiencing the wave of popular protest sweeping the Middle East.

Though less well-publicised than the more violent events in Libya, the Yemeni protests have persisted for weeks.

Yesterday, a man died from gunshot wounds after troops fired on hundreds of protesters who had gathered in the university campus in the capital, Sana'a. Five others were seriously injured and about 90 more received minor injuries after troops used live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas. Continue reading and comment >>> Andy McSmith | Thursday, March 10, 2011

Duke of York 'Very Worried about Future as Trade Envoy'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Duke of York is "very worried" about whether he can continue as Britain's trade envoy amid the controversy over his ties to a convicted paedophile, a friend has said.

Goga Ashkenazi, a Kazakh socialite, said that the Duke sent her a BlackBerry message over the weekend expressing his anguish about the coverage of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

He contacted her after the Sunday newspapers contained fresh details over his involvement with the American billionaire, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Last month a picture emerged of the Duke with his arm around Virginia Roberts. The image was taken while she was employed by Epstein as a masseuse but she alleges he sexually exploited her while a teenage minor.

The Government rallied round the Duke yesterday with David Cameron's official spokesman saying the Prime Minister was "fully supportive" of him staying on.

The comments were in contrast to earlier media reports which quoted an unnamed Whitehall source as saying there would not be "many tears shed" if Andrew quit.

Ms Ashkenazi, a long-time friend of the Duke's, revealed his state of mind in an interview with the Evening Standard. >>> | Tuesday, March 08, 2011

LONDON EVENING STANDARD: Prince Andrew: I'm very worried about keeping my role >>> David Cohen | Tuesday, March 08, 2011

LONDON EVENING STANDARD: 'Prince Andrew is not the villain. He's a superb trade envoy' >>> David Cohen | Tuesday, March 08, 2011

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Get a Grip, Cameron Told after About-turn on Duke
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron was urged to “get a grip” on Monday night after Downing Street appeared to change its position on whether to support the Duke of York.

On Sunday, an anonymous source within No.10 said that there would be no “tears shed” if the Duke stood aside from his role as Britain’s trade ambassador. But yesterday morning the Prime Minister’s official spokesman insisted that the Government was “fully supportive” of his decision to stay on.

The spokesman added that ministers were not reviewing the Duke’s position, despite suggestions from within No.10 hours earlier that the Duke would have to stand down if more allegations emerged.

The about-turn cast a shadow over Craig Oliver’s first full week as the Government’s director of communications.

The assurances also appeared to contradict remarks by Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, whose department oversees the work of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

On Sunday, as increasingly damaging reports emerged about the Duke’s connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire convicted paedophile, ministers appeared reluctant to defend the Duke. >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent | Monday, March 07, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Downing Street puts arm around Duke of York following anonymous briefings: Downing Street yesterday moved to defend the Duke of York’s position as United Kingdom trade envoy amid concerns about anonymous briefings against him from within No 10. >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent | Monday, March 07, 2011

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The Prince, the Perve and a Right Royal Fifth Amendment Defence
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: LONDON: Prince Andrew's role as Britain's special trade representative is to be downgraded as ministers seek to distance themselves from his controversial dealings with discredited business figures.

Ministers have been alarmed by the prince's links with Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire US financier who served a prison sentence for soliciting an under-age girl for prostitution. The Mail on Sunday reported that the FBI is to reopen its investigation into Mr Epstein over allegations of his involvement with under-age girls. At the same time it has emerged that the Duke of York sought Mr Epstein's financial assistance to help his former wife stave off bankruptcy.

Amid growing unease in Downing Street and ministerial circles at the conduct of the Queen's second son, ministers indicated at the weekend that a review of the Duke of York's role would be used to lower his profile.

One cabinet minister said that a hard-headed assessment would be made during a ''tasking review'', which is held every six months to assess the prince's work as Britain's special trade representative. >>> Nicholas Watt | Tuesday, March 08, 2011

THE TIMES – LEADING ARTICLES: Undiplomatic Envoy: Prince Andrew’s friendship with a convicted US financier is an embarrassment. He should resign as a trade envoy >>> | Monday, March 07, 2011 [£]

Prince Andrew Hosted Tunisian Dictator's Son-in-law at Palace
THE GUARDIAN: Sakher el-Materi, son-in-law of deposed president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, attended lunch just months before uprising

The government's special trade representative, Prince Andrew, entertained a leading member of the deposed Tunisian dictatorship at Buckingham Palace just three months before the regime collapsed, the Guardian has learned.

Sakher el-Materi, the 29-year-old son-in-law of Tunisia's deposed president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, attended a lunch given for him by the Duke of York. They were joined by more than a dozen executives from British multinationals hoping to win business in Tunisia. Materi has since fled the north African country and is under investigation for money laundering.

The meeting took place as part of the duke's government-appointed role to help broker deals for British businesses overseas, and its emergence will intensify calls for him to step down because of his contacts with controversial figures in the Middle East.

He met Colonel Gaddafi in Tripoli on government trade business in November 2008 and lunched with his cabinet chief, Bashir Saleh, in London in July 2009 after giving a seminar at St James's Palace for the dictator's £5bn Libya Africa Investment Portfolio, which Bashir chairs. >>> Robert Booth | Friday, March 04, 2011

THE GUARDIAN: Prince Andrew's relations with Tunisian dictator's son-in-law in spotlight: Andrew's role as government's special trade representative is controversial – but to some in government he is secret weapon >>> Robert Booth | Friday, March 04, 2011

Duke of York Fights Calls to Quit after Questions over His Friendships
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Duke of York has defended himself against a series of allegations that have raised fresh questions about his suitability as a trade envoy.

Calls have grown for the Duke to step down or be removed from his post as Britain’s special representative for trade and industry following criticism of his relationships with several business contacts.

At the weekend, a photograph was published showing the Duke with his arm around the waist of Virginia Roberts, who claims she was sexually exploited as a teenager by Jeffrey Epstein, a New York financier and one of the Duke’s wealthy friends.

The Duke has been pictured in Central Park with Epstein, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting an under-age girl for prostitution.

Miss Roberts, 27, claims she was hired as a masseuse by Epstein at 17 and was once asked to sit on the Duke’s knee. She was photographed with the Duke in 2001 and claims she met him three times, though there is no suggestion that there was a sexual relationship between the pair.

The Duke has also faced claims that he has a “very close” friendship with Saif Gaddafi, the son of the Libyan leader.

On Monday, Chris Bryant, the shadow justice minister, urged David Cameron to consider the Duke’s position in light of his relationship with Saif, whose diplomatic immunity has been revoked by Britain.

He also questioned the Duke’s friendship with Tarek Kaituni, a convicted Libyan gun smuggler.

It has been alleged, and subsequently denied, that the Duke has visited Saif Gaddafi in Libya in a personal capacity on several occasions, sometimes as a guest of Kaituni. >>> Victoria Ward | Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Prince Andrew ‘Had Lockerbie Talks with Gaddafi’s Son’
MAIL ON SUNDAY: Claims that Prince Andrew held secret ‘detailed discussions’ over the release of the Lockerbie bomber with Colonel Gaddafi’s son were at the centre of a simmering diplomatic row last night.

Libyan officials yesterday claimed the Prince held off-the-record talks with Saif al-Islam Gaddafi days after Libya formally applied for convicted terrorist Abdelbaset Al Megrahi’s release.

But last night, despite the Libyan assertions, Buckingham Palace denied any meetings or discussions had taken place between the Prince and Mr Gaddafi on the issue.

The alleged Royal intervention in the controversial affair came while the Prince was on an official Foreign Office-sponsored trip to Algeria in May to open Britain’s new embassy in the country.

Libyan government officials say Colonel Gaddafi’s son – who would later give the terrorist a hero’s welcome on his return to Tripoli – made a special visit to Algiers to discuss the developments with the Prince, Britain’s special representative on trade and investment.

The pair are said to have become friends after Andrew made several official and unofficial trips to Libya. Mr Gaddafi has also been a guest at Windsor Castle.

The Prince’s formal role is to help secure trade and investment deals for Britain and he was in Algeria at the behest of the Foreign Office.

The involvement of the Prince would raise new questions about the deal done with Libya to free Megrahi, the man convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103.

But told of the Libyan claims the Prince had played a key role in the affair, Buckingham Palace last night issued a categoric denial.

A spokesman said: ‘We can categorically say that no meetings or discussions took place between the Duke of York and Mr Gaddafi in Algiers on any issue. The Duke has only met Mr Gaddafi on two occasions and was unaware they were in Algiers at the same time.’

He added: ‘It is categorically untrue that the Duke of York met Saif Gaddafi in Algeria.’ >>> Jason Lewis, Mail On Sunday Security Editor and Nabila Ramdani | Sunday, September 06, 2009

Prince Andrew Trip to Libya Could Be Cancelled Over Lockerbie Bomber
THE TELEGRAPH: The Duke of York may see plans for an official visit to Libya cancelled as an expression of British Government anger at Libyan celebrations of the return of the Lockerbie bomber.

There is growing anger in Britain at the reception granted to Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi on his return to Libya after eight years in a Scottish jail.

Downing Street has also said that Gordon Brown had appealed to the Libyans not to give Megrahi a hero's welcome on his return.

In a letter to Col Gaddafi sent on Thursday, the Prime Minister asked the Libyans to "act with sensitivity" over the return of Megrahi.

Megrahi, the biggest mass murderer in British legal history, flew home to Tripoli on Thursday after being freed from jail on compassionate grounds by Scotland's devolved adminstration.

A large crowd gathered to greet his return, and he has been feted as a national hero.

David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, said that the reception Libya gave Megrahi was "deeply distressing".

The Foreign Office is now understood to be reviewing a plan for Prince Andrew to represent Britian [sic] at celebrations marking 40 years of Col Gaddafi's rule. >>> James Kirkup and Aislinn Simpson | Friday, August 21, 2009

THE TELEGRAPH:
Lockerbie bomber release: Reaction from American media >>> | Friday, August 21, 2009