What did Prince Andrew say in his BBC Newsnight interview?

The Epstein connection

Prince Andrew described his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein as a chance encounter through Ghislaine Maxwell, evolving into useful networking opportunities post-royal duties. He admitted Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution was a red flag, yet justified a 2010 visit to New York as a necessary in-person breakup, claiming it showed “honour” despite the optics.

In denying allegations from Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew insisted he had no recollection of meeting her, countering her account of a sweaty nightclub dance with a medical claim: an adrenaline overdose during the Falklands War left him unable to perspire. This peculiar defense aimed to dismantle her vivid recollections of their alleged encounters.

Prince Andrew leaned on a family outing for his alibi, recalling a Pizza Express trip in Woking with daughter Beatrice on the supposed night of misconduct—an event he deemed unusually memorable for royalty. He expressed no regret for the initial Epstein ties, only for prolonging them, underscoring a tone-deaf stance amid mounting scrutiny.

Reframing regrets

Prince Andrew conceded that continuing contact with Epstein after his release from prison was a mistake, admitting he “let the side down” by staying at the financier’s mansion for what he called a necessary confrontation. Yet he stopped short of broader remorse, framing the visit as an act of misplaced honour rather than poor judgment.

Delving into his self-perception, Prince Andrew described himself as “too honourable” in handling the Epstein fallout, insisting the in-person breakup demonstrated character despite public backlash. This defense highlighted a disconnect, as critics pointed to his tone-deaf privilege amid allegations that demanded accountability from someone in his position.

On the victims’ suffering, Prince Andrew offered scant direct empathy, focusing instead on his own reputational hit and Epstein’s “unbecoming” conduct—a phrase he later amended under probing. He expressed willingness to testify if legally required, but his words rang hollow against the gravity of the accusations leveled by survivors like Giuffre.

The photo conundrum

Prince Andrew cast doubt on the infamous photograph showing him with Virginia Giuffre, suggesting it might be doctored since he couldn’t recall the encounter or posing with his arm around her. He noted his public appearances rarely involved such casual gestures, implying the image’s authenticity was questionable amid the swirling allegations.

Addressing his demeanor in the photo, Prince Andrew claimed he doesn’t hug strangers and avoids public displays of affection, framing the picture as inconsistent with his character. This defense aimed to erode Giuffre’s narrative, yet it overlooked forensic analyses that have largely upheld the photo’s legitimacy in public discourse.

Prince Andrew further distanced himself by stating he’d never been upstairs in Ghislaine Maxwell’s London home, where the photo was allegedly taken, adding another layer to his blanket denials. This point underscored his strategy of selective memory, leaving victims and observers grappling with unresolved questions about accountability.

Epstein’s appeal

Prince Andrew painted Jeffrey Epstein as a magnetic figure whose connections opened doors, praising his knack for assembling extraordinary people in social settings. He admitted the financier’s charisma made him “fun to be with,” yet this glossed over the darker undercurrents of exploitation that ensnared vulnerable women, leaving survivors to question the royal’s judgment in prioritizing networking over ethics.

Delving into the sex allegations, Prince Andrew argued that intercourse requires a “positive act” from a man, implying he couldn’t have engaged without recollection—a stark denial that sidestepped Virginia Giuffre’s trauma. This clinical framing underscored his detachment, as victims’ accounts of coercion and abuse demanded far more empathetic scrutiny than his matter-of-fact rebuttals provided.

Prince Andrew confessed to kicking himself daily for that infamous 2010 Central Park walk with Epstein, viewing it as the regrettable endpoint of their tie. While claiming no further contact, his words revealed a lingering internal conflict, yet offered little solace to those harmed, highlighting how personal remorse often eclipses broader accountability in scandals of power.

Pledging cooperation

Prince Andrew expressed a conditional willingness to assist authorities, stating he’d testify under oath if legal advice deemed it necessary, framing it as a duty-bound obligation. This came amid questions about Virginia Giuffre’s claims, yet he emphasized reliance on counsel, leaving survivors to wonder if words would translate to action in the pursuit of justice.

On Epstein’s suicide, Prince Andrew deferred to the coroner’s ruling, noting speculation about a neck bone but accepting the official verdict without deeper probing. He admitted hindsight might have revealed Epstein’s deceptions, but insisted his royal status blinded him to subtle behavioral shifts, a defense that underscored the insulation of privilege from victims’ harsh realities.

The scandal’s toll on his family emerged as a “constant sore,” Prince Andrew revealed, yet he vowed to press on with duties established since 2011, portraying resilience amid reputational ruin. This focus on personal continuity offered little acknowledgment of the broader pain inflicted on Epstein’s victims, highlighting a narrative centered more on royal endurance than collective healing.

Unanswered echoes

In that fateful BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew delivered a tapestry of denials, eccentric alibis, and half-hearted regrets that exposed his detachment from victims’ pain. Ultimately, his words amplified the chasm between royal privilege and true accountability, leaving survivors like Virginia Giuffre to champion justice amid the ruins of unchecked power.