Royal Watch News

Prince Andrew cancels review

Sep 12, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew has cancelled the annual review of his work.

The prince has long published round ups of his work in order to show to the British taxpayer he is using public money wisely, and despite taking two government-backed trade missions this year, he will no longer produce the review.

The report has been pulled after Andrew stepped down as the UK's Special Representative for Trade and Investment, a move which came after he had met a number of controversies, including questions over his friendship with a convicted sex offender.

Since the final report, Andrew has met four foreign heads of state and embarked on two government-backed trade missions.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: 'There won't be a Special Representative Annual Review this year because the Duke of York relinquished the role. The duke's office will relaunch his website instead, which will focus on his interests in apprenticeships and youth skills, small and medium enterprises, science and technology and entrepreneurialism.'

The spokesman added the duke's expenditure was published online and his travel costs were made public in the Royal Household's annual financial report.

Last year, after publishing his report, the duke said: 'I continue to develop my role in support of UK businesses, both at home and abroad. Business is coming to me with new issues that reflect the changing business and economic environment.

'It is, as ever, necessary to evolve the role that I perform with Her Majesty's Government and business.'