Prince Andrew called on the royal carpet

LONDON, March 10 (UPI) -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth met with Prince Andrew amid reports critical of his conduct and judgment as the British trade envoy, palace sources said.

The queen and the duke of York are said to have discussed the continuing negative impact of the headlines he is generating in mounting scandals over his trade dealings with despotic regimes on behalf of the government and his personal links to Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire convicted sex offender, The Guardian reported Thursday.

Britain's Daily Mail reported the Queen was worried scrutiny of the prince was overshadowing preparations for the wedding next month of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which the royal family had hoped would increase public support.

"I understand that she asked him if any more stories are going to come out in the next few days," the Daily Mail quoted a senior aide as saying.

On Thursday it was revealed the prince had lobbied members of Parliament to support greater business links with Azerbaijan, a regime accused of torturing protesters.

It also emerged that Epstein used a Royal Air Force base to land his private jet en route to a party at Sandringham in Norfolk, where they royal family maintains a residence.