Prince Andrew's chilling question left Emily Maitlis 'feeling horrible' as Duke grilled her on abuse

Emily Maitlis, the former BBC Newsnight presenter, has revealed a disturbing question posed by Prince Andrew before their infamous 2019 interview.

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Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 19/09/2024

- 10:04

Prime Video has released a new series portraying the Duke of York's career-ending interview with Emily Maitlis

Emily Maitlis, the former BBC Newsnight presenter, has revealed a chilling question posed by Prince Andrew before their infamous 2019 interview.

The incident is dramatised in Prime Video's new series A Very Royal Scandal.


During a pre-interview meeting, the Duke of York reportedly asked Maitlis and her team: "Have any of you ever been victims of abuse?"

This unsettling query left Maitlis visibly shaken, as depicted in the series' first episode.

Prince Andrew

Emily Maitlis, the former BBC Newsnight presenter, has revealed a chilling question posed by Prince Andrew before their infamous 2019 interview.

Getty

The series portrays Maitlis, played by Ruth Wilson, freezing momentarily before responding "No" to the Duke's question.

Prince Andrew, portrayed by Michael Sheen, presses further, asking: "Nothing in your life?"

Maitlis replies: "Nothing that bares comparison."

Later in the episode, Maitlis confides in her husband about the incident, saying: "You know at the end of my meeting with Prince Andrew he asked me if I had ever been the victim of abuse? It felt horrible."

Emily Maitlis

This unsettling query left Maitlis visibly shaken, as depicted in the series' first episode.

PA

A Very Royal Scandal was released today on Prime Video.

The series dramatises the events surrounding Maitlis' 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew.

In addition to the pre-interview question, Maitlis revealed other behind-the-scenes details.

Prince Andrew

The series dramatises the events surrounding Maitlis' interview with Prince Andrew.

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After the interview, Prince Andrew requested to discuss his alibi further, including his Pizza Express visit and inability to sweat.

Maitlis reflected on the interview's impact on her career, noting its double-edged nature.

She said: "Some people come towards you, and some run a mile."

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