A defiant Prince Andrew has broken cover and been spotted smiling on a horse ride - as a controversial dramatisation of his car crash BBC Newsnight interview hits Netflix.
The Duke of York appeared carefree as he waved while riding in Windsor this morning just as Scoop, which tells the story of how the BBC team secured the interview, went live on the streaming platform. The Holiday actor Rufus Sewell stars as the Duke of York while Gillian Anderson portrays interviewer Emily Maitlis in the film, which delves into the story behind the infamous Newsnight chat about Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew waves while out riding (© Jim Bennett)
Andrew has been sidelined from royal life (© Jim Bennett)The show is based on former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister's memoir Scoops, which documents the "high-stakes negotiations with Buckingham Palace through to the BBC's headline-making interview with the Duke of York."
When the interview aired back in November 2019, it sent shockwaves around the world with Andrew declining to say he regretted his association with 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.
Before the Newsnight interview, Andrew had a full diary of royal engagements. 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.
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Andrew is often spotted out horse riding near his home (© Jim Bennett)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."
The move meant he missed out on an honorary Navy promotion and he was not awarded the rank of Admiral on his 60th birthday as expected several months later. Andrew now only makes fleeting appearances at royal events that are deemed family occasions. These have included the late Queen's funeral, the King's Coronation and a memorial for the former King Constantine of Greece. However eyebrows were raised when he played a prominent role at a memorial service for Prince Philip, which saw him escort his mother into Westminster Abbey.
Prince Andrew in his Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis (PA)Most recently he joined a small group of royals at St George’s Chapel in Windsor for Easter Sunday church service. He’s not been forced to skip other royal milestones, including Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday and Commonwealth Day, with a case of Covid ruled him out of taking part in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
He was also noticeably absent from the official photos of his oldest daughter Princess Beatrice’s lockdown wedding. Beatrice wed husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a low-key ceremony in Windsor under Covid restrictions.
Fewer than 20 guests attended – a far cry from the 2018 wedding of her sister, Princess Eugenie, to Jack Brooksbank in 2018, which was broadcast on TV. When it came to the official wedding photos released to the public, the father of the bride didn't appear in any of them, with the late Queen and Prince Philip the only royals shown with the beaming bride and her new husband. The decision to release snaps without him was thought to have been taken by the family alongside advice from courtiers.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at the Easter Sunday service last week (WireImage)
The couple walk back to Windsor Castle following the service on Easter Sunday (Getty Images)He still lives in his 30-room Windsor home Royal Lodge, which he shares with his former wife Sarah Ferguson. The pair have remained close despite their divorce almost 30 years ago, with Fergie even joining Andrew at church this Easter Sunday.
As part of the King's plans to scale down the monarchy, Andrew had been offered a move from his mansion to the smaller Frogmore Cottage, which had been recently renovated by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. But he was eventually granted permission by the King to stay indefinitely at Royal Lodge, after thrashing out a deal with the monarch. He was granted a "stay of execution”, despite his annual £250,000 handout being cut by the King and his home needing an estimated £2million in repairs.
These days, he is often spotted on horse rides close to his home as he whiles away his days. It has been reported that the Duke had harboured hopes of a return to public life - despite it seemingly unlikely. But even though a return to public duties may be off the cards, one prominent royal author believes King Charles will not abandon his brother.
Robert Hardman, the author of Charles III, a biography of the monarch, suggests the Firm are keen to keep Andrew on the inside, saying one royal insider claimed: "Andrew could be far more damaging outside the loop." While another said: "The King will not just cast his brother adrift.
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"He is very fond of his nieces [Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie]. And at least [Andrew] hasn't been disloyal. But any return to public life is out of the question. His legal problems are not resolved, the public don't want him and many people still remember his rudeness last time round."
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