Overview
- Journalists were shown the No. 10 2004–05 royal visits minutes under embargo before the documents were redacted and withheld from public release.
- The Cabinet Office said the papers were never intended for publication and cited the Public Records Act review process for managing transfers to the National Archives.
- Reporters who viewed the minutes described routine discussions on shifting funding for Andrew’s trade envoy travel from UK Trade and Industry to the Royal Travel Office, with an estimated £90,000 budget impact.
- The minutes also outlined proposed trips to China, Russia, southeast Asia and Spain, and raised whether the Football Association might cover costs for attendance at Euro 2004.
- Campaign group Republic accused the government of yielding to palace pressure, an MP called for clarity on the decision, and coverage noted that royal-related files are frequently withheld as Andrew recently lost his remaining titles.