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The prince will concentrate on boosting training and apprenticeships within Britain after a series of scandals Prince Andrew, who has come under pressure to give up his role as a representative for British trade overseas, is to step down, Buckingham Palace has said. The prince is expected to announce that he will concentrate on boosting skills training and apprenticeships in Britain in future, in what is bound to be seen as a significant downgrading of his role. Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are expected to take a greater part in promoting trade during their future foreign trips. The prince, who has held the trade envoy role for more than 10 years since he left the navy, has been embroiled in repeated controversies both for the lavishness of his transport arrangements and for his links with unsavoury foreign figures including billionaires and dictators in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Libya and Tunisia. There were unresolved questions over the purchase of his former home, Sunninghill Park near Ascot, for £3m over the asking price by a Kazakh billionaire. His judgment was further questioned in March when he acknowledged a mistake in meeting the American billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was jailed in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution. The prince turned to Epstein last December to help pay off his former wife Sarah’s debts. At that time, government sources suggested his role would be downgraded, though he received the public backing of ministers and it was said that the nature of his work occasionally meant dealing with questionable figures. There were calls for his resignation at that time. Reports have suggested that Andrew’s future role will focus on boosting business in Britain and acting as a figurehead in the government’s plans to increase industrial apprenticeships for young people. His press secretary was said to be on leave on Thursday. The prime minister, David Cameron, said: “I would like to thank the Duke of York for the major contribution he has made over the last decade to UK trade and the huge support he has given to British businesses as the special representative for trade and investment. I am certain that he and others in the royal family will continue to support and promote British business interests both at home and overseas.” Prince Andrew Monarchy International trade Economics Global economy Stephen Bates guardian.co.uk