The Cabinet Office is under fire for allegedly protecting the royal family by withholding documents related to the former Duke of York, Prince Andrew. These documents included travel expenses incurred during his time as a UK trade envoy. The release of files to the National Archives was met with controversy after key documents were pulled at the last moment, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Among the files released were documents concerning the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and a formal apology from John Major’s office regarding an incorrectly addressed birthday telegram to the Queen Mother. While these documents were made available to the media under embargo, the Cabinet Office later retracted No 10 minutes from 2004 and 2005 that discussed royal visits.
The Cabinet Office explained that the retraction was due to an “administrative error” and that the minutes had never been intended for public release. Prior to their withdrawal, journalists noted that the minutes appeared unremarkable. They included a reference to a potential change in funding rules that would allow the Royal Travel Office to cover costs associated with Prince Andrew’s travels, which could add approximately £90,000 to its budget. The visits mentioned included trips to China, Russia, south-east Asia, and Spain.
Concerns about the release of royal family-related documents are not new. Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, criticized the Cabinet Office, suggesting that the attempt to block disclosure likely stems from pressure from the palace. He stated, “The royals have sought to keep everything under wraps when it comes to Andrew, not to protect him but to protect themselves.”
In 2005, a set of documents regarding Diana’s death and funeral arrangements was released under the Freedom of Information Act. These included a detailed account from the UK’s ambassador to France, Michael Jay, about the circumstances surrounding her passing. Notably, the Cabinet Office refused to disclose details of a conversation between then-Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac concerning the Paris accident, citing that such discussions were “confidential” and “fundamentally not in the public interest.”
The aftermath of Diana’s death led to significant public speculation about Chirac’s whereabouts at the time, with reports suggesting he was with a mistress. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office was forced to apologize after the Queen Mother’s private secretary, Capt Sir Alastair Aird, complained about the improper address of Major’s birthday greeting. A response from Roderic Lyne in the No 10 private office acknowledged the error but insisted that the Downing Street staff were not at fault. He remarked, “The message itself, as it left our hands, was entirely correct.”
Despite the apparent concern over proper protocol, the Queen Mother herself seemed unfazed by the issue, sending her own message of thanks to Major for his good wishes. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the royal family and the extent to which documents related to them are kept from public scrutiny.
The controversy surrounding the Cabinet Office’s handling of these documents has reignited debates on royal transparency and the balance between public interest and privacy. As discussions continue, the implications of these withheld records may have a lasting impact on perceptions of the royal family’s relationship with the government.
