Prince Andrew breaks cover ahead of bombshell drama amid feud with King Charles
PA
Prince Andrew has been spotted for the first time in several months ahead of the release of an upcoming Amazon Prime drama based on the Duke of York’s interview surrounding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
The 64-year-old was snapped riding with a companion in Windsor Great Park, just days after returning from the Royal Family’s annual Balmoral trip.
The Duke of York wore a burgundy jumper and riding hat as he rode around the green space near his Royal Lodge home.
It comes amid reports that his brother, King Charles, was trying to evict him from his 30-bedroom mansion and set him up in Frogmore Cottage - a smaller property that would require less upkeep.
Last month, the monarch cut off funding for his brother’s private security detail, with sources claiming that Charles wanted to ensure no taxpayer money would be used to front the cost. The monarch has been funding private security guards that cost £3million a year since Andrew lost his armed police protection in 2022.
His most recent appearance comes ahead of the release of the Emily Maitlis produced drama, A Very Royal Scandal.
The Amazon series, starring Michael Sheen as the Duke, will be dropping on the streaming giant on September 19.
It will serialise the 64-year-old’s infamous Newsnight interview with Maitlis, who will be played by Ruth Wilson, over allegations regarding his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre.
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The show “follows the action of Maitlis and Prince Andrew in the leadup to the interview, the groundbreaking event itself and the many questions left in its wake that would change their lives forever,” according to the synopsis.
It comes after rival streaming colossus Netflix released Scoop, which is based on the same scandal, back in April.
In the now infamous November 2019 interview with the former BBC presenter, Andrew vigorously denied the allegations that he sexually assaulted Giuffre.
Andrew insisted that he had “no recollection of ever meeting” Giuffre.
Prince Andrew has refused to move out the home
GettyWhen Maitlis referenced a photo showing him with his arm around Giuffre, he said: “I have absolutely no memory of that photograph ever being taken.”
He was also criticised for defending his friendship with convicted sex offender Epstein, as well as his failure to mention Epstein’s victims during the interview.
Giuffre brought a civil case against Andrew for sexual assault, and the 64-year-old later reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre. The settlement was not an admission of guilt and Andrew accepted no liability.
The new series is part of an anthology of limited seasons which include 2018's A Very English Scandal starring Hugh Grant and 2021's A Very British Scandal, about the infamous divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argylle, played by Paul Bettany and Claire Foy.