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Are Britain's royals good ambassadors?

By Thair Shaikh, CNN
Prince Andrew, also called the Duke of York, represents Britain overseas as an official trade envoy.
Prince Andrew, also called the Duke of York, represents Britain overseas as an official trade envoy.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Prince Andrew criticized by some UK politicians over his links to U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein
  • Epstein sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution
  • Some are now questioning his ambassadorial skills as an official trade envoy
  • Older sister Princess Anne is associated with over 200 charities

London (CNN) -- Britain's Prince Andrew is in the news once again over his friendship with a controversial businessman. But while his ambassadorial skills as an official trade envoy are being questioned, how do other senior royals stack-up as ambassadors?

The Prince, also called the Duke of York, is being criticized by some British politicians over his links to the U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution, according to court documents.

Epstein is reported to have given The Prince's former wife -- Sarah, the Duchess of York -- £15,000 ($24,300) to help pay off her debts. Sarah Ferguson was quoted Monday in the London Evening Standard as saying she will try to pay off the debt and not deal with Epstein ever again. Ferguson also said she was mortified to find out about Epstein's past.

The Prince's office responded to questions about the Prince's friendship with Epstein with a "no comment."

Controversy dogs Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew under fire for friendship

Some politicians and royal commentators have said the prince, who is Queen Elizabeth II's second son after Prince Charles, is an embarrassment to Britain and the royal family.

In leaked diplomatic documents published by WikiLeaks last year, the U.S. ambassador in the central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan, Tatiana Gfoeller, reportedly said that the prince during a business lunch in 2008 was "astonishingly candid. The discussion at times verged on the rude (from the British side)."

The Prince has not commented publicly on characterizations put forth in the leaked documents.

"[Prince] Andrew hasn't really done the royal family any favors. As fourth in line to the throne, he is a senior member of the royal family," said royal historian Christopher Warwick.

"All members of the royal family have an ambassadorial responsibility, particularly the senior members. Part of the royal remit is to take the monarchy abroad and wave the flag for Britain plc. We have to recognize how immensely marvelous the queen is, she's never put a foot wrong," he added.

Warwick, who has written several authoritative books on the British royal family and contributed to numerous documentaries, described Princess Anne, the second child and only daughter of the queen, as a "terribly good ambassador."

Prince Andrew is not suited to the role, this raises serious questions about his judgment and character.
--Graham Smith, Republic
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He said: "She [princess Anne] told the press to 'naff off' a long, long time ago and some people held that against her but overall she has been very good."

Princess Anne, also known as the Princess Royal, is associated with over 200 charities. She has been president of Save the Children Fund since 1970 and in her work for the organization she has visited Indonesia, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Malawi, Botswana and Madagascar.

Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, is also famous for his charitable work and his numerous overseas visits. Prince Charles is patron or president of some 400 organizations according to St James's Palace, his official residence.

Charles' two sons -- Prince William and Prince Harry -- have also followed in his footsteps by volunteering for numerous charities. In 2009, they created their own foundation with the aims of "helping young people in society; raising awareness and support for servicemen and women; and developing sustainable models of living in the light of climate change and dwindling natural resources," according to St James's Palace.

Perhaps surprisingly, Warwick described Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, as a "sterling ambassador, although he has been known to put a foot wrong."

There are several examples of Prince Philip saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. While on a trip to Oban in Scotland he once asked a driving instructor: "How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to pass the test." He also once asked Aborigines in Australia if they "still throw spears," and congratulated a student who had been trekking in Papua New Guinea on not having been eaten.

Pro-royalists say the monarchy attracts tourists to the UK and so adds wealth to the country, while some organizations, such as the London-based anti-monarchist group Republic, regard the royal family as an anachronism and a burden on tax payers.

Graham Smith, Republic's campaign manager, said: "Prince Andrew is not suited to the role, this raises serious questions about his judgment and character.

"When members of the royal family go abroad they just reinforce the idea that Britain is small and quaint and backward looking."