In a recent statement, former BBC journalist Emily Maitlis has shared her thoughts on the controversial 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew, as a new drama series about the event is set to air. Maitlis, who left the BBC in 2022 after a 20-year tenure, expressed uncertainty about the Duke of York's guilt regarding sex offences allegations.
The upcoming three-part series, "A Very Royal Scandal," is scheduled for release on Amazon Prime Video in September 2024. The drama will explore the circumstances surrounding the infamous interview, which took place at Buckingham Palace on November 16, 2019. Ruth Wilson, a two-time Olivier Award-winning actress, is set to portray Maitlis in the production.
Maitlis revealed that Wilson sought detailed information about her personal life and habits to prepare for the role. The series aims to delve into the essence of Prince Andrew, examining how his privileged upbringing may have shaped his character and potentially led to his downfall.
Reflecting on the interview's impact, Maitlis noted that while Prince Andrew's guilt regarding specific allegations may never be fully known, his actions following the scandal were telling. She highlighted his continued association with Jeffrey Epstein after the latter's arrest and his lack of empathy for victims of sex trafficking as particularly problematic.
"His continued friendship with Epstein after his arrest, his flat-footed response to the victims of sex trafficking... tells a story of power and unchecked privilege"
The Newsnight interview, which aired on the long-running BBC current affairs programme that began in 1980, had significant consequences for the Duke of York. Following the broadcast, Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties in November 2019. Subsequently, in January 2022, his military affiliations and royal patronages were returned to Queen Elizabeth II.
It's worth noting that Prince Andrew, the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, had previously served in the Royal Navy from 1979 to 2001, including as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War. His fall from grace was further cemented when a civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse when she was 17, was settled out of court in February 2022.
Despite the controversy, Maitlis expressed a degree of admiration for Prince Andrew's willingness to participate in the interview. She described his approach as maintaining "a kind of old-fashioned valour" in an era of populism and duplicity.
As the drama series prepares to bring this pivotal moment in recent royal history to screens, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing scrutiny faced by the British royal family and the complex interplay between privilege, accountability, and public perception.