Secret files relating to the disgraced Prince Andrew, the Royal connected to child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, will be locked away until 2065.
Unless Prince Andrew lives until 105, he will likely be dead by the time the files are released.
The restrictions came to light after historian Andrew Lownie requested access to them for an upcoming biography on the British royal family member.
Last year, Andrew paid £12 million (around $15 million) to Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault while she was 17 and underage.
As The National Post reported, the denial of access forms part of a general rule that documents concerning the royal family must remain hidden from public view until 105 years after the person’s birth to protect family members from scrutiny and even “preserve the mystique.”
Under the Freedom of Information Act (2000), documents relating to the Royal household are exempt.
The Information Rights Unit of the Foreign Office said an exemption to releasing information relating to communications with, or on the behalf of, the late Queen was “absolute,” the independent reports.
In a copy of the FOI letter, seen by the paper, the Government said in relation to the release: “Some information is being withheld under Section 37 (Communications with Her Majesty and honours), section 40 (Personal Information) and Section 41 Information Provided in Confidence exemptions,” The Daily Mail reports.
“This culture of secrecy is often the default position,” argued Lownie.
“It does seem quite extreme.”
“We are in the absurd position that Prince Harry can reveal the most intimate details of royal life from months ago for personal commercial gain and Royal households currently brief against each other, yet historians cannot look at files,” Lownie added.
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Rather different that Andrew should be protected until, presumably, he is in his grave when the shortcomings of previous royals became public as soon as they were no long able to send opponents to the tower.