Sir, Prince Andrew made three official visits to countries to which I was Ambassador. These were greatly appreciated by British business and residents and by host governments (“No 10 adds to pressure on Duke to resign”, Mar 7).
The Duke of York fills the gaps left by British Ministers who are often unwilling to travel overseas or to receive foreign dignitaries in the United Kingdom.
He deserves far more credit as a hard-working Royal than he receives.
David Fall
Former British Ambassador to Vietnam, Thailand and Laos
Pewsey, Wilts
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Sir, Successive Governments have garnered friendships and allegiances with some very dubious individuals over the years. This alone, suggests that this Government’s view on Prince Andrew’s friendships is nothing short of rank hypocrisy.
Glen Dersley
Milton Keynes, Bucks
Sir, The world press is clearly in a feeding frenzy over the Duke of York. To give a more balanced view of Prince Andrew it would be nice if someone would mention his courageous role during the Falklands war.
Richard Beeston
London W6
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Sir, Your list of less than flattering attributes of our special envoy for UK trade (“Undiplomatic envoy”, leading article, Mar 7) apply equally to many of those prominent in the dubious regimes he has to deal with.
It could be said that he is well suited to the job.
Brian Parker
Dartmouth, Devon
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Sir, Didn’t Nicolae Ceausescu and Idi Amin pay State visits to Britain and were royally entertained by the Queen and the Government?
The Romanian leader was also appointed GCB and given (by David Steel) a black labrador called Corbu, which was subsequently seen being driven in a limo in Bucharest.
Sir David Tang
London W1