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Privacy Notice The Duke of York’s infamous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis has become the subject of a second high-profile TV drama in less than 12 months. A Very Royal Scandal is Amazon Prime’s new three-part series which documents the lead-up and days that followed Prince Andrew’s interview which saw him be asked about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The new series, which comes after the release of Netflix’s Scoop back in April, sees the story re-examined as a leading royal expert looks at how Prince Andrew is the “problem that refuses to go away” and will prompt further “embarrassment” for King Charles and the rest of the Royal Family.
Prince Andrew’s Newsnight interview is the subject of the new show, A Very Royal Scandal
As the show is released, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond spoke exclusively to OK! about how the Firm will feel about the interview being back in the headlines. “Andrew really is the problem that refuses to go away,” Jennie says. “I’m sure the King, and indeed Andrew, wish the interview had never taken place, even though Andrew was so pleased with it immediately after the filming.” Looking at how this show is different from Netflix’s Scoop, Jennie says the reason behind this is Emily Maitlis’ involvement. “As Emily was so involved with this show – as opposed to the last one – it’s getting much more publicity than I imagined it would.
Michael Sheen takes on the role of Prince Andrew
“It promises to fill in quite a few blanks around the making of the interview and Andrew’s demeanour before, during and afterwards. I don’t imagine the King will watch it, but he will be made aware of its contents and any repercussions I’m sure. It’s bound to be a further embarrassment for all concerned.” Speaking about the drama – in which she served as an executive producer – during an appearance on LBC, Emily praised Michael Sheen’s performance, saying: “He takes it away from anything that looks like comedy villain, anything that looks like a sort of slam dunk idiocy. He’s not.”
Emily Maitlis is played by Ruth Wilson in A Very Royal Scandal
She said that Andrew was “a father figure, an approachable dad, a loyal ex-husband… and a devoted son and a former hero”. She then went on to point out that he came home “to adoration” after he served as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands war. Looking back at the days which approached the now infamous interview, Emily told LBC that she felt concerned for Andrew “on a human level”, despite the allegations levelled against him. She added: “I feel uncomfortable at moments, and I feel concerned, and I think I’m also conscious… that it’s not just the ramifications [for] Andrew, it’s everyone around him.. it’s the loyalties to others and the women in his immediate periphery, as well as, of course, to the Epstein victims that [are] the heart of this story.”
Emily Maitlis is played by Ruth Wilson in A Very Royal Scandal
In the weeks and months that followed, Emily said that she was concerned that the interview got so much attention – but that there was no legal consequences. “We don’t actually have closure,” she said on the programme. “We didn’t get a trial. We did this forensic interview, which could be used as a document of public record, but it actually never… went to court… we will never know. “None of the Epstein victims ever, as it were, got their their moment to hold Epstein to account. And… one of them clearly laid charges at allegations at Andrew as well. And so there’s always that sense of unfinished business, which I think… naturally makes you ask more questions”. A Very Royal Scandal is available to watch on Amazon PrimeStory SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterMore OnPrince AndrewKing Charles IIIRoyal FamilyA Very Royal ScandalEmily MaitlisBuckingham Palace
