A Very Royal Scandal Review: An Engaging Look at the British Monarchy’s Decline

A Very Royal Scandal is a captivating historical drama series created by Amazon MGM, focusing on the career of former BBC journalist Emily Maitlis. Maitlis is best known for her 2019 interview with Prince Andrew, featured on BBC Two’s Newsnight.

This series recounts Maitlis’ professional and personal journey leading up to the pivotal 2019 interview. Released recently on September 19, all three episodes are now available for streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime. According to IMDb, the official synopsis for A Very Royal Scandal is:

“Explores Emily Maitlis journey as a Newsnight journalist and Prince Andrew’s disastrous interview with her.”

The drama primarily tackles the controversies surrounding the 2019 interview, where Prince Andrew sought to restore his reputation amidst several scandals plaguing the royal family.

A Very Royal Scandal reveals unseen aspects of the 2019 BBC interview

In essence, A Very Royal Scandal depicts the troubled interview between Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis that occurred on November 14, 2019. The series consists of three episodes, starting with the momentous day of the interview at Buckingham Palace.

Due to last-minute approval for the filming, Maitlis was observed arriving at the venue looking disheveled. Although the interview was supposed to focus on Prince Andrew’s recent charity work, it marked his first public appearance since the allegations regarding Jeffrey Epstein surfaced.

Additionally, Virginia Giuffre had accused Prince Andrew of assaulting her when she was just 17 years old, prompting a narrative that revisits the 2011 allegations against him. The series aims to depict Prince Andrew as a privileged, almost spoiled individual, with Michael Sheen portraying him as a man-child struggling to maintain control over his staff.

The portrayal extends to his past relationships, particularly with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, played by Claire Rushbrook in the series. While Prince Andrew is shown to have a close relationship with his daughters, he is also depicted as often relying on his royal status to shield him from accusations.

Even as his defenses against the allegations seem weak, Maitlis emerges as a resolute journalist determined to uncover the truth. The stark contrast between the two characters is palpable, with Maitlis persistently attempting to redirect Prince Andrew’s attention to the numerous allegations against him.

Despite his missteps, the series effectively encapsulates Prince Andrew’s alleged demeanor, portraying him as ignorant of the serious repercussions of the allegations on his reputation. The first episode sets the scene, while the second delves into the interview itself.

In this episode, Prince Andrew appears self-assured in his responses, convinced that he delivered a performance his family would be proud of. However, the interview drew widespread criticism, with Prince Andrew accused of using his royal status to evade discussions about his past.

The third episode seeks to highlight the extraordinary protection Prince Andrew seemingly always benefits from. The series concludes with a striking portrayal of Prince Andrew as oblivious to the magnitude of the allegations against him, contrasting his misplaced confidence with the global backlash resulting from the interview.

Emily Maitlis appears acutely aware of the potential uproar her interview could incite, and indeed, it delivered. While she is left astounded by some of Prince Andrew’s responses, he remains calm, composed, and almost celebratory in his approach to the allegations.

A Very Royal Scandal effectively juxtaposes two vastly different perspectives, revealing the intricate bubble in which the Royal family operates. The series is currently available for viewing on Amazon Prime.

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