Emily Maitlis, the journalist behind one of the most talked-about interviews in recent years, has spoken candidly about the impact of her 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew. Her thoughts reveal not only the significant damage done to the Duke of York’s reputation, but also the ongoing, unresolved issues surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s victims.
The interview, which took place in late 2019, has been described as a “car crash” and remains a vivid example of high-stakes journalism. In it, Prince Andrew addressed his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The fallout was immediate and intense: Prince Andrew faced a storm of criticism and public backlash, which ultimately led to him stepping back from his royal duties and losing many of his royal privileges.
In a recent conversation, Maitlis expressed her thoughts on the lasting effects of that interview, in which she suggested that while Prince Andrew’s standing within the royal family was severely damaged, victims of Epstein’s abuse were left with unresolved issues. “I think there’s unfinished business,” Maitlis said.
“It’s not a nice, neat ending.” The 2019 interview was a turning point for Prince Andrew. He attempted to defend himself against allegations of sexual misconduct, including Virginia Giuffre’s claim that he had sex with her when she was just 17 years old. Andrew’s defense centered on his excuse that he was at Pizza Express in Woking on the day of the alleged incident. Despite his denials, the interview caused significant damage to his public image, influencing his decision to step back from public life. Since the interview, Andrew has settled a civil case brought against him in the U.S. by Giuffre. However, he has always denied any wrongdoing, and the agreement did not include an admission of guilt. The fallout from the agreement and the interview has raised questions about whether Epstein’s victims have truly received the justice or resolution they need.
Maitlis acknowledges this gap. “There has been no trial,” she explains. “There has been an agreement… but we haven’t got any sense of resolution there.” Her comments highlight the complexity of the situation, where the public spectacle of the interview is in stark contrast to the ongoing struggles of Epstein’s survivors.
The new three-part drama, A Very Royal Scandal, starring Maitlis as Ruth Wilson and Michael Sheen as Prince Andrew, delves deeply into the interview and its aftermath. Maitlis said the drama brings a new perspective to the story, but it also emphasises the unresolved nature of the issues at hand. “It’s about a reckoning,” Maitlis says of the series. “It’s about repercussions. But it’s not a nice, neat ending with a comedy villain or some kind of brilliant hero.”
The show charts the significant changes that have taken place since the interview. Prince Andrew’s loss of royal duties and dignity, and wider changes within the royal family, are central themes. Maitlis reflects on this transformation, noting that the monarchy appears to be undergoing a significant shift, becoming more streamlined and less publicly confrontational. “I think about those words I heard in December 2019 and wonder if that was the beginning of a reset,” she muses.
Interestingly, Maitlis shared a personal anecdote about the period following the interview. A month after the broadcast, she was contacted by someone close to King Charles, who reportedly told her that the then-Prince of Wales was not unhappy with the interview. This mysterious message has left Maitlis pondering its true meaning. She speculates that this could mean Charles did not blame her for the interview or that it could be seen as part of a wider strategy to reset the relationship between the royal family and the public.
In the new series, Wilson’s portrayal of Maitlis required significant preparation. Wilson, who wore a wig and blue contact lenses to resemble Maitlis, worked with a voice coach and a movement coach to capture the essence of Maitlis. She also immersed herself in Maitlis’s professional world to bring authenticity to her role. Maitlis, for her part, praised Wilson’s efforts, noting that the actress managed to capture her “impatience” and even the little quirks of her personality, such as hastily eating a sandwich.
The drama comes shortly after another portrayal of the 2019 interview, Netflix’s Scoop, which focused on producer Sam McAllister’s role in securing the interview. Maitlis acknowledges the differences between the two dramas, stressing that each offers a different perspective. She also addresses some of the creative liberties taken in A Very Royal Scandal, including scenes that differed from her actual experiences.
There is ongoing debate as to whether dramatisation of such events is necessary when real footage is readily available.
