Backlash Over Andrew's Funeral Plans Was ‘Infinitely Foreseeable,’ Says Royal Expert Sam McAlister
EXCLUSIVE: Sam McAlister thinks that the recent backlash surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was not surprising
SINCE being stripped of all of his titles and honours, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is meant to live a quiet life away from the spotlight.
Despite his complete removal from all royal duties and his eviction from Royal Lodge, the former prince remains included in long-standing contingency arrangements. He is reportedly still in line for a ceremonial royal funeral as part of a government list covering senior members of the royal family. This forms part of the “bridge” operations, details surrounding any burial ceremonies that are planned years in advance.
Despite sudden public furore around the arrangements, one prominent commentator thought the controversy was ‘infinitely foreseeable’. Bestselling author Sam McAlister is known for securing the bombshell sit-down interview with Andrew for BBC Newsnight. The conversation with journalist Emily Maitlis was so controversial that Andrew announced his intentions to step back from his duties just days after the broadcast.
Since then, the release of hundreds of documents related to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein by the US Department of Justice has appeared to show further contradictions. Andrew was also arrested by the police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, relating to his tenure as UK Special Representative for Trade and Investment between 2001 and 2011. McAlister’s story – including her personal negotiations with Andrew’s former Private Secretary Amanda Thirsk - was dramatized in the Emmy-nominated Netflix film, Scoop.
It was ... understandable that people were surprised to hear that he was going to have an elevated form of funeral - Sam McAlister
Reflecting on the controversy surrounding his funeral arrangements, Sam told the Royal Observer that she was not surprised by the public’s stern reaction, saying: “Of course, it's created some screaming headlines of people being very concerned about the elevated, if you like, funeral that he would receive. Not a full kind of funeral that someone like the Queen would receive, but if you like, a kind of mid funeral that would be elevated from a private funeral. So, a lot of people you know are very concerned about that. That is infinitely foreseeable.”
She continues: “I think it was, you know, understandable that people were surprised to hear that he was going to have an elevated form of funeral, and that will now be a matter of public debate and, no doubt, private debate within the auspices of the royal family about what the correct response is to that new situation.
Adding: “Another situation virtually every day, and we're already seven years in from this interview.” Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor strongly denies any accusations of criminal wrongdoing
