In the South Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, on the 14th of November 2019, a historical broadcasting moment is about to occur. Occupying the captivating scene, we find the 46-year-old junior TV producer, Prince Andrew, and Emily Maitlis, who was both the presenter and interviewer during this event. After enduring 13 months of thorough negotiation and numerous meetings, they were able to persuade Andrew to grant his first-ever detailed interview addressing his association with Jeffrey Epstein, for the BBC’s Newsnight.
The answers that come out during the interview have since become a source of comedic amusement for many, but at the time, they were received with astonishment. When asked about the nature of the birthday party he hosted for Epstein’s girlfriend at Sandringham, the Prince refers to it as ‘a straightforward shooting weekend.’ His supposed location on March 10, 2001, the night Virginia Giuffre claims she had danced with him before sleeping with him, is replied to with a simple ‘Pizza Express in Woking.’
Every bit of the interview is a display of the Prince’s confidence and transparency despite the sensitive nature of the questions. Following the interview, it’s clear that the Prince thought he had performed splendidly despite the controversial responses.
Priyam Gera