Princess Beatrice was an "unexpected guest" in securing Prince Andrew's career-ending interview, according to a former Newsnight producer.
Sam McAlister has spoken in depth about her experience of booking the Duke of York to appear on Newsnight, an interview which resulted in Andrew stepping down from royal duties.
The process of securing the interview was turned into a bestselling book by McAlister, titled Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC's most shocking interviews.
This book is also being turned into a Netflix film starring Billie Piper as the producer, set to drop on the streaming platform on April 5.
Prince Andrew was joined by Princess Beatrice when meeting with Newsnight
BBC / Getty
McAlister has spoken about the time she met Prince Andrew at Buckingham Palace in October 2019, one month before the interview aired.
Princess Beatrice, 35, also attended the meeting, which surprised the Newsnight producer.
McAlister told The Mail: "Rammed into a tiny room in Buckingham Palace, the three Newsnighters (me, Emily and Deputy Editor Stewart) faced Andrew, Amanda and a very unexpected guest — his elder daughter, Princess Beatrice.
"She was dressed in navy blue, asked sensible questions about the possible logistics, and it was clear, she was close to her father and concerned for his welfare.
Maitlis and McAlister admitted they felt sympathy for Beatrice and Eugenie
PA
"The discussion was frank, firm, sometimes funny."
The producer also told The Times: "Listening to your dad discuss his relationship with a sex trafficker and paedophile?
"As a daughter that wouldn’t be my favourite day out and I felt for her."
Emily Maitlis, who interviewed with Prince Andrew, admitted she felt sympathy for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Sam McAlister and Emily Maitlis attending the 30th Women in Film & Television Awards
Getty
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Billie Piper playing Sam McAlister on Netflix
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Writing in The Times, Maitlis revealed she asked herself questions about "the duty of care you owe to those who trust you with their stories".
She questioned "how [she] could an interview that aimed to provide answers for vulnerable young women [and] not end up hurting other vulnerable young women – his daughters – along the way".
Maitlis added: "These were things I struggled with in the aftermath that still cost me a fair amount of thought today."
