Journalist Emily Maitlis recently revisited her pivotal 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew, an event that profoundly impacted his public life, leading to his stepping back from royal duties and relinquishing his titles. The 55-year-old revealed that rewatching the conversation, which delved into Andrew's controversial friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, allowed her to "spot something new."

During the original interview, Prince Andrew asserted that he had no further contact with Epstein after their widely publicized stroll in New York's Central Park in December 2010. He claimed his intention to meet Epstein face-to-face was to sever ties, dismissing a phone call as the "chickens way out." However, moments later in the same interview, Andrew disclosed to Maitlis that he had, in fact, remained with Epstein for four days and attended his house parties, explaining his "judgment was probably coloured by [his] tendency to be too honourable."

Writing in The Times, Maitlis described her recent re-evaluation of the interview, especially in light of Andrew's recent surrender of his Duke of York title and his membership of the prestigious Order of the Garter. She identified a moment of "glorious irony" during their discussion about ending the friendship. Maitlis recalled Andrew explaining his argument to Epstein: "I said, 'With all the attendant scrutiny on me then I don't think it's a wise thing to do.'" This, she notes, inadvertently exposed his primary concern as "being seen" rather than the fundamental nature of the friendship itself.

Maitlis further highlighted the irony, stating, "the man who couldn't risk being seen with a sex offender was being snapped by the News of the World in a public park as he spoke." This observation underscores a potential disconnect between Andrew's stated intentions and his actions.

Further intensifying the scrutiny, letters revealed last week in the Mail on Sunday and Sun on Sunday suggested that Andrew and Epstein maintained contact beyond 2010. Specifically, an email from Andrew to Epstein on February 28, 2011, allegedly urged him to "keep in close touch" and expressed hope to "play some more soon." These revelations cast doubt on Andrew's previous claims of having cut ties.

Epstein died in custody in 2019, and a memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who passed away earlier this year, is expected to offer additional insights into Andrew's connections with Epstein.

In a recent statement, Prince Andrew announced his decision to relinquish his Duke of York title and other honours, stating, "In discussion with the King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family." He affirmed his commitment to putting "duty to my family and country first" and reiterated his stance from five years ago to step back from public life. Concluding, Andrew asserted, "As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."