PRINCE Andrew said he had “no recollection” of meeting Virginia Roberts Giuffre, the woman who claims she was made to have sex with him as a teen, in an interview with Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis on November 16, 2019.
The Duke of York’s “alibi” for the night he was alleged to have spent with Ms Giuffre appears to be in tatters after it was reported his daughter Princess Beatrice has “absolutely no recollection” of the Pizza Express birthday party her father claimed to have attended.
What happened in the interview?
During the ‘train wreck’ interview Prince Andrew, who was later stripped of all royal duties, denied he had slept with American Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, on three separate occasions – twice while she was underage.
In the interview, The Duke of York said he had “no recollection of ever meeting” Ms Giuffre.
He said one encounter in 2001 did not happen as he spent the day with his daughter Princess Beatrice, taking her to Pizza Express in Woking for a party.
The Daily Mail reported on December 12 2020 that the family who hosted the now infamous party cannot recall what happened and have no pictures.
The paper claims Princess Beatrice has “no recollection” of the Pizza Express birthday party Andrew used as his alibi and that housekeepers at his Sunninghill Park home “can’t remember” his movements.
It has also emerged that a royal protection officer said to have been on duty that weekend has died.
According to the Mail, Andrew’s diary also shows he had a manicure booked on the afternoon he says he dropped his daughter at the party.
A spokesman for the duke said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on any of these matters.”
What did Andrew claim about his sweating problem?
The same alleged sexual liaison, which Virginia Giuffre said began with the royal sweating heavily as they danced at London nightclub Tramp, was factually wrong, the Duke said.
This is because, he claimed, he had a medical condition at the time which meant he could not sweat.
What did Prince Andrew say about friendship with Epstein?
Prince Andrew twice stated his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein had provided “seriously beneficial outcomes”, giving him the opportunity to meet people and prepare for a future role as a trade envoy.
He cast doubt on the authenticity of a picture that appears to show Andrew with his arm around the waist of Mrs Giuffre, when she was a teenager.
The royal said: “From the investigations that we’ve done, you can’t prove whether or not that photograph is faked or not because it is a photograph of a photograph of a photograph.
“So it’s very difficult to be able to prove it but I don’t remember that photograph ever being taken.”
Prince Andrew expressed regret at making contact with Epstein in 2010 – flying to New York to tell him in person that the friendship was over – after the 66-year-old had been released from an 18-month prison term for prostituting minors.
But Maitlis highlighted how he spent a number of days with him at his home, and how he was guest of honour at a dinner party that reportedly celebrated Epstein’s release.
Prince Andrew said he there was a “small” dinner party but later added “I don’t think it was quite as you might put it”.
He also said that staying at Mr Epstein’s house was “definitely the wrong thing to do”.
Prince Andrew added: “But at the time I felt it was the honourable and right thing to do and I admit fully that my judgment was probably coloured by my tendency to be too honourable but that’s just the way it is.”
What was the reaction to the Newsnight special?
Not good at all.
The interview has been widely criticised with commentators questioning Prince Andrew’s responses and condemning his unsympathetic tone and lack of remorse for the friendship with the sex offender.
It has been condemned even by royalists.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme that in the wake of the interview, Andrew could find himself out of the core Royal Family, if reports are correct that the monarchy will be slimmed down when the Prince of Wales becomes king.
Public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski said about the interview: “I have never seen anything so disastrous. For any students of PR that is how not to do it.
“It was like watching a man in quicksand and unfortunately, I don’t think anyone would have thrown him a line to get him out.”
What has Andrew said about the interview?
The BBC has reported sources close to the Duke as saying he stands by his decision to set the record straight about his relationship with the disgraced financier – and counter allegations he slept with one of Epstein’s groomed teenagers.
Conflicting reports in the newspapers, also based on sources, claim Andrew told the Queen his television appearance on BBC’s Newsnight programme was a success.
Another says he expressed regret to friends at not clearly conveying his sympathy for the women trafficked for sex by Epstein.
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