Adam Vary
Updated on: October 9, 2024 9:48 am GMT
Emily Maitlis: Prince Andrew ‘Lost Respect’ After Infamous Interview
Emily Maitlis, the journalist known for her hard-hitting interviewing style, has reflected on the consequences of her notorious 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew. In a recent interview, she stated that the Duke of York “lost respect” following their conversation, which explored his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Interview Impact and Prince Andrew’s Request
Maitlis described the 2019 interview as a pivotal moment that significantly damaged Prince Andrew’s reputation. Following the broadcast, he stepped back from his royal duties, acknowledging that the Epstein scandal had become a considerable disruption for the royal family. Maitlis revealed an interesting detail after the interview concluded, where Prince Andrew expressed a desire to discuss his alibi regarding the night in question. He insisted, “You didn’t include my alibi,” referring to his claims of being at Pizza Express in Woking.
Feeling Responsibility During the Interview
Maitlis felt a dual responsibility throughout the interview: to respect the Duke’s wishes regarding information he wanted to share while also protecting him from potentially damaging revelations. She reflected, “If he included some of the stuff that he wanted to talk about… it was actually going to make it look worse.” This careful consideration underlined the delicate nature of such high-profile interviews.
Expectations versus Reality
While many believed the interview would enhance Maitlis’s career, she indicated it brought a mixed bag of outcomes. “It’s a curious thing… on the one hand, you’d think it might make it really easy to get people to do interviews with you,” she noted. “And on the other hand, nobody wants to do an interview with you because they’ve seen your interview.” The ramifications of her work led some potential interviewees to steer clear of her, creating unforeseen challenges in her career.
Upcoming Drama Series: A Very Royal Scandal
The impact of the interview is the focus of an upcoming Prime Video series titled A Very Royal Scandal, starring Ruth Wilson as Maitlis and Michael Sheen as Prince Andrew. The show, which premieres on September 19, aims to explore not only the lead-up to the interview but also its aftermath and broader implications for both parties involved.
Change in Royal Perception
Ruth Wilson, in her portrayal of Maitlis, sees the interview as a “fascinating character study” of Prince Andrew. She noted how it changed her perception of the monarchy, commenting on the complicated relationship between journalism and the royal family. “It was a symbiotic relationship. They need each other,” she stated, highlighting the intertwined nature of media coverage and royal public relations.
Conclusion: Legacy of the Interview
As Maitlis summed up, while the interview might have been a singular event, its repercussions are still unfolding. “I still think that the story itself isn’t actually finished,” she remarked, emphasizing the ongoing dialogue surrounding the scandal and its broader narrative regarding accountability. For further insights, you can read more on [BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news) about the context and aftermath of the interview.
The story in *A Very Royal Scandal* helps us understand the tricky parts of the tale better. It gives viewers a chance to see the characters in this unfolding drama up close.
