Prince Andrew's 10 Most Scandalous Moments (Before Netflix Documentary Scoop)

With the release of Scoopthe biopic Netflix directed by Philip Martin (already behind some episodes of The Crown), let's talk about again Andrew Duke of York. Based on the book by the former journalist of Newsnight Sam McAlister, the film tells everyone the behind the scenes of that television hour that shook Buckingham Palace. The infamous interview that Prince Andrew (played by Rufus Sewell) granted in 2019 to journalist Emily Maitlis (Gillian Anderson) from the BBCto clarify his relationships with Jeffrey Epstein. More precisely, the Duke of York had been invited to respond to the accusations on the alleged involvement in the sexual abuse scandals linked to the billionaire financier, convicted of international trafficking of minors and who committed suicide in prison, with particular focus on the accusations made by Virginia Roberts, all At the time of the events he was 17 years old.

Prince Andrew's defence, deemed clumsy and not very credible, was described as “a media catastrophe”. That shock interview cost King Charles III's younger brother the loss of his royal titles and military honors. With consequent obligation to withdraw from public life. Born in 1960The favorite son of Elizabeth II he has always lived a controversial life between embarrassing loves and very questionable friendships. From the marriage with Fergie the Red to the soft porn actress up to the Epstein scandal, here are the most scandalous moments of the “black sheep of the Windsors”.

Andy the Randy

Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Since the 1980s, the English tabloids have coined the nickname “Randy the Andy” for the former royal bachelor, due to his reputation as a womanizer and sex addict, constantly spotted by paparazzi on board various yachts, in various corners of the world, always surrounded by girls in bikinis and topless. It is said that the prince even dated a thousand women. Between one party and another, Andrea was also branded as the “prince of parties” but he later justified himself: “I don't know why I collected that title because I've never really celebrated».

The soft-core film actress

Andrew Duke of York
PA Images/Getty Images

Also in the 1980s, before his official engagement with Sarah Ferguson, the Duke of York caused The Queen quite a few problems due to his relationship with the American actress Koo Stark. The British media will blast her union with photos of the girl on the set of an erotic film titled, Emily.

The scandal couple

Andrew Duke of York
Bettmann

His wedding to Sarah Ferguson on 23 July 1986 led to a doubling of the scandals. The first was the separation in 1992. Shortly afterwards, newly single Red Fergie will be immortalized in Saint Tropez while she is having her toe sucked by the financial advisor, John Bryan. The divorce came four years later.

Playboy Prince

Andrew Duke of York
Evan Agostini

Fresh from separation, Andrew is back in the news between one flirtation and another. In 2006, he falls in love with another redhead: the model Angie Everhart, a former Playboy bunny. A precedent that will cause discontent at Windsor Castle.

Andy Air Miles

Andrew Duke of York
Tim Graham/Getty Images

From the epithet coined by the tabloid press for the Duke of York's predilection for hopping on a helicopter or private jet for a journey that could easily have been taken by car. An abuse of means that the British people have never forgiven him.

Bad companies

Andrew Duke of York
DANIEL LEAL/Getty Images

Prince Andrew has come under fire for his controversial ties, including to Middle Eastern “Mad Dog” Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif and Ferguson herself, who took bribes to arrange business meetings with her ex Husband. The friendship with Epstein was just the icing on the cake.

Birthdays to forget

Andrew Duke of York
Samir Hussein

As if that wasn't enough, in 2011 Andrew accepted a 21st birthday gift for his daughter, Princess Beatrice, from Libyan arms smuggler Tarek Kaituni. Previously convicted in the United States for drug possession and attempting to smuggle a submachine gun into France.

The Epstein scandal

andrew duke of york Jeffrey Epstein
Kypros/Getty Images

The Duke of York's long and unfortunate association with the American financier, convicted sex offender, is surely the most worrying of his many dubious friendships. Andrew claims to have been introduced to Jeffrey Epstein in 1999 through the latter's ex-girlfriend, the British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell: the so-called “black lady”, who was his accomplice.

That Newsnight interview

Andrew Duke of York
Guy Smallman/Getty Images

Persuaded by his eldest daughter Beatrice, Andrea will give the infamous interview on the Epstein case to BBC Newsnight in 2019. More precisely, the Duke of York had been invited to respond to the accusations on the alleged involvement in the sexual abuse scandals linked to the billionaire financier, convicted of international trafficking of minors and who committed suicide in prison, with particular focus on the accusations made by Virginia Roberts, all At the time of the events he was 17 years old. However, the queen's coconut defense will be clumsy and not very credible. An hour of television that will shake Buckingham Palace and shake public opinion. The press will brand it as “a media catastrophe”.

Royal resignation

Andrew Duke of York
Karwai Tang

The shocking interview cost King Charles III's younger brother the loss of his royal titles and military honors. With the consequent obligation to withdraw from public life.

Source: Vanity Fair

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