The Guardian view on the Mountbatten-Windsor papers: they expose the collapse of Britain’s 'good chap' state
New papers matter less for royal gossip than for what they reveal about the UK’s fragile constitutional culture of trust, prestige and informal power
TL;DR
- Files released regarding Prince Andrew's trade envoy role show a lack of formal vetting, with royal status prioritized over business experience.
- The late Queen actively pushed for her son to take on a prominent role in promoting national interests.
- The unpaid position was designed to grant privileged access to trade and diplomatic networks without the burdens of formal duties.
- Allegations of forwarding sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein have led to scrutiny of the system's oversight and potential systemic failure.
- The case highlights a shift from a constitutional order based on discretion and deference to a modern state requiring formal checks and balances.