Reclusive royal Prince Andrew reportedly considers it “preposterous” that the Epstein allegations have continued to haunt him for a decade

The former Newsnight journalist who interviewed Prince Andrew shared her thoughts on the notorious 2019 interview that led to the disgraced royal stepping down from his official duties.

Emily Maitlis recounted how Andrew found it “preposterous” that sexual assault allegations tied to his close friendship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein had “followed him for a decade.” Sydtomarket.net has learned that Maitlis also reflected on whether she believed Andrew was guilty.

Maitlis, who pressed the prince about the sexual assault accusations during their Newsnight interview, recently discussed the experience in an interview with actress Ruth Wilson, who will portray her in an upcoming drama about the interview.

In a piece for The Times, Maitlis recalled Wilson bluntly asking if she thought Andrew was guilty of sexually assaulting Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre. Maitlis responded, “There is no way I or anyone else will ever know the full truth of what happened with or to Virginia Giuffre.”

While she refrained from directly accusing Andrew of assaulting Giuffre, Maitlis noted that “he was clearly guilty of other things,” including “his continued friendship with Epstein after his arrest” and his “flat-footed response to the victims of sex trafficking.”

Maitlis highlighted Andrew’s statement that he was “too honorable” to cut ties with Epstein without visiting him in Manhattan and staying at his townhouse for four days. She also pointed out how Andrew referred to Epstein’s “behavior” as “unbecoming” rather than condemning his actions as a sex offender.

Reflecting on the interview, Maitlis said, “This is not proof of Andrew’s own criminal behavior, but it does tell us a story of power and unchecked privilege.” She added that Andrew’s view of the allegations as “preposterous” and the fact that they followed him for nearly a decade speak to what happens when royals have no right of reply.

Maitlis also revealed that Newsnight’s deputy editor, Stewart Maclean, initially declined the opportunity to interview Andrew in May 2019 because the prince demanded that no questions about Epstein be asked. After Maclean refused the conditions, Andrew considered an ITV interview instead. Eventually, the Newsnight interview took place, where Maitlis grilled him on accusations that Giuffre was trafficked to have sex with him at 17 years old.

Andrew denied the allegations, including Giuffre’s claim that he sweated heavily while they danced at a London nightclub, citing a medical condition from the Falklands War that supposedly prevented him from perspiring heavily. Despite denying the accusations and claiming he had no recollection of meeting Giuffre, Andrew stepped down from his royal duties after the interview aired in November 2019.