Prince Andrew’s reduced life now – crumbling home, title shame and bizarre hobby
Yet another drama series, this one called A Very Royal Scandal, tells the story of Prince Andrew's infamous Newsnight interview - and it has brought the car crash chat back into the limelight and the outcast royal whose life was dramatically changed after the show
Almost five years ago, Prince Andrew sat down to be grilled by Emily Maitlis in his infamous BBC Newsnight interview – and it his life changed forever.
And now the car crash chat is the subject of yet another drama series, meaning the disgraced Duke of York will see the humiliating episode be brought back to the fore once again. The new show, A Very Royal Scandal, tells the story of Maitlis’ journey towards the interview with Andrew, with Luther and Mrs Wilson star Ruth Wilson playing the journalist and Michael Sheen as the duke. It comes hot on the heels of another drama, Scoop, which also retold the story behind the interview.
When the interview aired back in November 2019, it sent shockwaves around the world with Andrew declining to say he regretted his association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, memorably recalling a visit to Pizza Express and claiming he was medically unable to sweat. In the days immediately after the interview was aired, the Duke’s life began to unravel and now it looks very different to the one he once enjoyed…
Sidelined from royal life
Before the Newsnight interview, Andrew had a full diary of royal duties. In the year before the disastrous chat, he carried out a total of 394 engagements – more than his nephew Prince William.
Andrew’s main tasks included promoting British businesses abroad as well receiving foreign dignitaries visiting the UK on behalf of the late Queen. He also helped to set up and run the Dragon’s Den style initiative Pitch@Palace, which saw start up business owners connected with potential investors during special events at Buckingham Palace, which proved to be highly successful.
But just days after the interview, Andrew sensationally quit public life “for the foreseeable future”. In a statement, approved by the late Queen, he said it had “become clear” to him that his “former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work.” He expressed sympathy for the victims of the convicted sex offender and disgraced financier, saying he “hoped they could rebuild their lives.”
He said: “I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”
