Netflix's Latest Film Adds to Prince Andrew's Ongoing Challenges
Prince Andrew continues to face repercussions from past controversies, with the spotlight once again focusing on his alleged missteps.
Rafe Heydel-Mankoo, a royal commentator and historian, asserts that the Duke of York remains haunted by his ill-fated BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis.
Commenting on Netflix's newly released film "Scoop," which revisits Andrew's controversial interview and his association with Jeffrey Epstein, Heydel-Mankoo told GB News that the 2019 interview was the "most disastrous PR blunder" since the Duke of Windsor's Nazi salute to Adolf Hitler in 1937.
The historian criticized Amanda Thirsk, Andrew's advisor, for what he termed a "seriously misguided decision" to recommend the interview, suggesting that it will be remembered as one of history's worst choices.
"Scoop" allows viewers to delve into the lead-up to the interview and the event itself, but notably omits the ongoing repercussions still affecting Andrew today, according to Heydel-Mankoo.
Differentiating between "Scoop" and "The Crown," Heydel-Mankoo emphasized the film's disclaimer, noting its dramatized nature based on real-life events, contrasting it with the series' lack of disclaimers despite its historical inaccuracies.
"The film is adapted from Sam MacAllister's book 'Scoop,' which recounts his experience as the producer who secured the interview with Prince Andrew," Heydel-Mankoo added.
Expressing concern for Prince Andrew's ongoing efforts to rehabilitate his image, Heydel-Mankoo remarked, "Constant reminders like this film are certainly not aiding Prince Andrew's attempts at rehabilitation."
