Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arranged for an independent assessment of his position as Britain's trade representative back in 2008, documents recently disclosed from the Epstein files have alleged.
The evaluation, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, concluded that the former duke represented a "highly valuable UK asset" for British commerce.
Following this endorsement, ministers appeared to approve expanded financial support for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's activities, ranging from accommodation, travel and other related expenses.
According to The i Paper, details of the “independent strategic review” emerged through a contract discovered within the Epstein archive, dating from when Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's office underwent expansion in June 2009.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was branded a ‘valuable UK asset’ as a trade envoy, new files have shown
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The contract read: “The review indicated that HRH was highly valued by UK businesses and that he should continue to develop the role as a unique and highly valuable UK asset.
“The government agreed and provided strong endorsement with increased funding to support the duke’s activities.”
At the time, a royal source told the Telegraph: "There is not a word of criticism about the prince in the PWC report and it is hugely supportive of his work - though it is not always easy to quantify how much of the deal-clinching is down to him."
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor held the position of special representative for international trade and investment between 2001 and 2011, serving without salary but with Government-funded travel, accommodation and staffing costs.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011 | GETTYIn response to media scrutiny over excessive spending, the former duke began publishing annual reports on his personal website from 2009, including some findings from the PwC evaluation after MPs questioned whether its contents had been suppressed.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Thames Valley Police is now broadening its inquiry to encompass sexual misconduct claims against the former duke.
A Labour spokesman told The i: "The Government is fully co-operating with Thames Valley Police on their ongoing investigation.
Andrew was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and subsequently released on investigation | REUTERSLATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Walkers on Easter Sunday take in Marsh Farm, showing trees in full blossom and the new wooden gates where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor relocated from Wood Farm | GETTY"It remains a fundamental principle that no one is above the law, and all allegations are taken seriously."
A Thames Valley spokesman said: “We cannot go into details of the investigation, but we are following all reasonable lines of enquiry. We encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward through the usual non-emergency police contact channels.”
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
GB News has contacted Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for comment.