Inside Princess Beatrice’s Surprise Role in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Newsnight Interview
EXCLUSIVE: The producer behind Andrew's infamous 2019 conversation reflects on his daughter's role in the negotiations.
PRINCESS Beatrice is not just the daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, but she may have played a more significant role in the negotiations surrounding his infamous Newsnight interview than previously understood.
The former prince infamously sat down with Emily Maitlis in a high-profile interview for BBC Newsnight that was recorded inside Buckingham Palace. His comments proved so controversial that he was forced to step back from royal duties shortly after the interview. In a statement, he admitted that his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein became a “major distraction” to the Royal Family.
When she released her book Scoops, Sam McAlister revealed that Princess Beatrice was a significant part in the final negotiations, a process that was also depicted in the subsequent Netflix dramatization. Now speaking to The Royal Observer, the former TV producer admitted that although she couldn’t confirm it, Princess Beatrice may have played a role in making sure the interview went ahead.
“I will never know for sure why it was that she was there. My understanding from what I saw on that day was that they had intended to meet afterwards in some way,” Sam told me. “[Beatrice may] had found out what he was doing and had asked to come along, like any daughter would, looking to protect their father's interests.”
She continued: "I also have no idea what she did or didn't think of the negotiation … I wouldn't want to say whether or not her influence was huge or small. I don't know for sure.” Adding: “All I can say is that when she was in the room, I felt that she was the rainmaker in that room.”
McAlister said Princess Beatrice’s presence had an impact on the negotiations, as she had “concerns and questions” for the Newsnight team. Speaking exclusively to The Royal Observer, McAlister said: “It was very important that we listened to her concerns and questions, and it was without a doubt important to him what she thought, and so that had to be treated with dignity and respect in what was a very difficult position for literally now everyone in that room.”
She continued: “The indication that you receive is that this is a young woman who is close to her father and cares about him, and it was exactly as you would expect that dynamic to be. I mean, I think it is, you know, quite a big thing to walk into a room like that.” Adding: “That's quite an intimidating room, I feel. So, I think you know to have the perspicacity and the presence of mind to walk in and obviously try to protect your father's interests is you know is something that a lot of people will relate to.”
I felt that she was the rainmaker in that room.Sam McAlister
Despite the nature of the discussions, McAlister said Beatrice appeared protective of her father. McAlister added: “She certainly was very pleasant, very polite, and clearly interested in her father's interests, as any good daughter would be.” Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor strongly denies any allegations of criminal wrongdoing.
