Ailsa Anderson, who served as the press secretary to Queen Elizabeth II from 2001 to 2013, recently shared her feelings about Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s infamous interview on BBC's Newsnight. During this 2019 interview, Andrew discussed his friendship with the now-convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, leading to significant public backlash and scrutiny. Anderson, recalling this moment, expressed relief that she was not present during the taping of the interview, indicating how uncomfortable she felt watching him discuss such sensitive topics.

The response from Andrew included several statements that seemed unusual and led to further criticism from the public and media alike. Among his claims was the assertion that he had a medical condition preventing him from sweating, which many found hard to believe in light of the serious allegations against him. This interview has since been regarded as a significant misstep in his attempts to distance himself from Epstein, further damaging his reputation and connection to the royal family.

Anderson’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among those who were close to the royal family, highlighting the strain and discomfort associated with Prince Andrew's actions and the impact of Epstein’s scandal on the monarchy. This incident not only affected Andrew’s public image but also raised questions about the British royal family’s handling of existing relationships and their consequences, shaping public perception of the monarchy during a tumultuous time.