Concerns rise over potential censorship of royal documents ahead of planned release

Concerns are rising over potential censorship of thousands of documents related to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, set for public release in 2026 and 2027. Internal discussions in Whitehall are underway about which files may remain secret. Most public records are released after 20 years, but exemptions exist for royal family documents. Critics argue that junior civil servants often make decisions to withhold files, leading to a lack of transparency in the process. The Advisory Council on National Records and Archives is seeking clearer guidelines for handling royal documents. Researchers note a trend of increased reluctance to release historical records related to the royal family.