Emily Maitlis reveals Prince Andrew allegation she found 'really hard' to hear

Journalist Emily Maitlis has spoken out about Prince Andrew in the wake of the royal relinquishing his titles after a discussion with his brother, King Charles III. Emily, 55, last spoke to Andrew on Newsnight in 2019, which led to him withdrawing from public life and handing back his royal titles. During their interview, she raised his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and addressed sexual assault claims made by Virginia Giuffre. Andrew has vehemently denied all claims against him.

Speaking on LBC on Tuesday, October 21, to reflect on the claims, Emily began: "One of the moments in the conversation I found really hard with Amy Wallace just now was when she describes that first meeting between Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre. We should say that Prince Andrew has categorically denied all the allegations, but she recounts the conversation where Ghislaine Maxwell says, 'How old do you think she is?'

"And he says, 'Oh, about 17', which is right. And then he starts speaking about his own daughters. 'Oh yes, I have daughters just slightly younger'..."

Emily continued: "This is Amy's conversation. She says the idea of whatever mental jujitsu it took to go from talking about your own daughters to being able to specify exactly how old she was and still go on...

"According to Virginia Guiffre's claims, to have sex with her... You would think there would be a moment where there would be a pause. You know, if you walked into a room and you saw someone who pretty much looked like one of your own daughters, you would stop there, but it doesn't happen."

Disgraced financier Epstein took his own life in prison in 2019. A posthumous memoir from Virginia, who died earlier this year, is expected to cast further attention on Andrew's ties with Epstein.

Announcing his decision to be stripped of hit titles, a statement from Andrew read: "In discussion with the King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family."

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life."

He added: "With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."