Emily Maitlis, the former host of BBC's Newsnight, revealed her astonishment at a lie told by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the Duke of York, during an infamous interview six years ago. In the interview, Prince Andrew denied ever meeting Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual misconduct, asserting that he was at Pizza Express in Woking at the time of the alleged encounter. Maitlis called this denial 'bizarre' in light of photographic evidence that later surfaced showing Andrew with Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The context of the interview is crucial, as it took place amid intense public scrutiny over Prince Andrew's associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His persistent denials and efforts to distance himself from the allegations have drawn significant media attention and public outrage. Giuffre has claimed that Andrew not only danced with her but also engaged in sexual activity on multiple occasions when she was a minor, allegations that Andrew has categorically rejected.

Maitlis's insight into the interview underscores the impact of such media appearances on public perception and legal implications. The revelations following the interview and accusations against Andrew have led to considerable fallout for the royal family, including a significant reduction in his public role and engagements. The situation continues to unfold as legal and social narratives evolve around the allegations against him, impacting the royal family's reputation and public trust.