Journalist Emily Maitlis has revisited her landmark 2019 interview with Prince Andrew, a conversation that significantly affected the Duke of York’s public standing and contributed to his decision to relinquish royal titles. Reflecting on the interview, Maitlis, 55, described noticing moments of “glorious irony” that were not apparent during the original broadcast.

The 2019 Newsnight interview addressed Andrew’s friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations made by Virginia Giuffre. During the conversation, Andrew claimed he had no contact with Epstein after their well-publicized walk in New York’s Central Park in December 2010, asserting that he had intended to sever ties. Yet moments later, he revealed he had stayed with Epstein for four days and attended house parties, explaining his “judgment was probably coloured by [his] tendency to be too honourable.”

Maitlis, writing for The Times, highlighted a striking instance of irony: Andrew insisted to Epstein that continuing their friendship would attract scrutiny, yet he was photographed by the News of the World in a public park during that period. This observation, she notes, illustrates a disconnect between Andrew’s stated intentions and his actions.

The scrutiny intensified recently when letters published in the Mail on Sunday and Sun on Sunday suggested Andrew and Epstein maintained contact beyond 2010, including an email from February 28, 2011, in which Andrew allegedly wrote to Epstein, “keep in close touch” and hoped to “play some more soon.” These documents call into question Andrew’s prior claims of having cut ties.

Following mounting controversy, Prince Andrew formally surrendered his Duke of York title and associated honours. He stated, “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 prioritizing his “duty to my family and country” while maintaining his denial of the accusations.