A BODY language pro has spotted the key moment Prince Andrew ‘lost composure’ during his ‘car crash’ Newsnight interview.
Back in November 2019, Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II’s second son, sat down with Emily Maitlis to discuss his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
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Judi James has revealed the key moment that things began to go wrong for Prince Andrew during his ‘train wreck’ Newsnight interviewCredit: PA
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According to the body language pro, whilst the Duke of York initially appeared confident and in control, things soon went downhill, which was displayed through a clear shift in his body languageCredit: BBC
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It comes after today’s release of the new Netflix film Scoop, whereby Gillian Anderson takes on the role of Emily Maitlis
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Rufus Sewel stars as the prince in the car crash interview that saw Andrew removed from frontline royal lifeCredit: PA
During the ‘train wreck’ interview, Andrew, 64, who was later stripped of all royal duties, denied he had slept with Virginia, one of Epstein’s victims, on three separate occasions – twice while she was underage.
Following the sit-down BBC interview, body language expert Judi James told Fabulous about the key moment where Andrew realised things weren’t going to be a ‘walk in the park’.
Judi revealed that not even seven minutes into the interview, it was clear that things were going to go downhill for the royal.
She explained: “There is a subtle turning point in the tone of the interview and in Andrew’s body language responses as he first appears to show signs of a loss of composure as though sensing this might not be the mere walk in the park he might have been expecting.
“Up to this point Andrew has appeared confident and in control, displaying several power signals to emphasise his royal status.
“His eye contact is quite strong, his brows are often raised, his affirmations firm and his hands are clasped in a steepling gesture that implies superior status and power.
“His authority is verbal, too, using phrases like ‘You have to remember…’”
After just six and a half minutes of the sit-down chat, Judi added: “At this point in the interview though, Emily starts to show her more forensic side and the chat begins to sound more like a grilling in court.
It looks like a moment when the gloves come off
Judi James
“She gets a series of one-word affirmations about Andrew having visited Epstein’s ‘Private plane?’ ‘Private island?’ ‘Home in Palm Beach?’ and ‘Ghislaine’s house?’
Prince Andrew denies getting a foot massage from a young Russian woman in Newsnight interview
“Emily’s comment ‘Just for the record…’ makes the tone sound more serious though.
“Her words ‘In 2006 in May…’ is her forensic-sounding next point and it is here Andrew’s body language shifts [a] gear.”
Andrew’s vocal tone drops and his expression looks suddenly cold
Judi James
As a result, Judi recognised: “His eyes perform an exaggerated eye-roll and he breaks his precision hand clasp to lean back and begin to rub his chin, which becomes a truncated gesture as he looks down to the side.
“It looks like a moment when the gloves come off and after mention of Epstein being invited ‘In July to Windsor Castle to your daughter’s 18th birthday party’, Andrew’s vocal tone drops and his expression looks suddenly cold as he tells Emily ‘I was asking Ghislaine’.”
During the interview, Andrew said one encounter in 2001 did not happen as he spent the day with his daughter Princess Beatrice, taking her to Pizza Express in Woking for a party.
What has Andrew said about the interview?
The BBC has reported sources close to the Duke as saying he stands by his decision to set the record straight about his relationship with the disgraced financier – and counter allegations he slept with one of Epstein’s groomed teenagers.
Conflicting reports in the newspapers, also based on sources, claim Andrew told the Queen his television appearance on BBC’s Newsnight programme was a success.
Another says he expressed regret to friends at not clearly conveying his sympathy for the women trafficked for sex by Epstein.
The Daily Mail reported in December 2020 that the family who hosted the now infamous party cannot recall what happened and have no pictures of the occasion.
The paper claimed Princess Beatrice has “no recollection” of the Pizza Express birthday party Andrew used as his alibi and that housekeepers at his Sunninghill Park home “can’t remember” his movements.
According to the Mail, Andrew’s diary also showed that he had a manicure booked on the afternoon he says he dropped his daughter at the party.
A spokesman for the Duke said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on any of these matters.”
But now, the father-of-two will likely be bracing himself for the release of new Netflix film Scoop, which can be streamed as of today.
SCOOP IT UP
In February last year it was confirmed that Gillian Anderson and Billie Piper would lead the cast in Scoop, tracking Prince Andrew’s interview with Newsnight about Jeffrey Epstein.
Back in November 2019, the Royal sat down with journalist Emily Maitlis to discuss his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Scoop will detail the behind-the-scenes account of the “news interview of the decade”, with an all-star cast as the key players.
While Gillian will play journalist Emily, and Billie will portray Sam McAllister, who negotiated and secured the bombshell interview, Prince Andrew will be brought to the screen by Rufus Sewell.
Rufus, 56, is best known for his roles in films like The Holiday and A Knight’s Tale as well as TV shows including The Diplomat and The Man in the High Castle.
But to portray Prince Andrew, Rufus has ditched his head of dark salt and pepper curls and replaced it with a short, grey cut to resemble the disgraced Royal.
The Scoop cast also sees Keeley Hawes play Amanda Thirsk, the former Private Secretary to Prince Andrew.
The film is based on Sam McAllister’s memoir, Scoops: Behind The Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews.
The newly released Netflix trailer for Scoop shows Gillian Anderson as Emily strutting towards the camera as the TV crew prepares to capture what became one of the nation’s most shocking interviews of all time.
Meanwhile, Sam McAllister marches through the newsroom, and later, she is heard planning the meeting at the palace.
While in the toilet preparing herself for one of the most extensive interviews the BBC has obtained, Emily is interrupted by Sam, as they lock eyes, knowing just how big the story would get.
The preparations are massive, and tensions are high as everyone around the interview room holds their breath for the interview, which broke the internet.
As the trailer ends, Emily is clearly under pressure as she looks directly into Prince Andrew’s nervous eyes, presses play on her recorder, and exhales, ” Your Royal Highness. ”
The newly released Netflix trailer for Scoop shows Gillian Anderson as Emily strutting towards the camera as the TV crew prepares to capture what became one of the nation’s most shocking interviews of all time.
Meanwhile, Sam McAllister marches through the newsroom, and later, she is heard planning the meeting at the palace.
While in the toilet preparing herself for one of the most extensive interviews the BBC has obtained, Emily is interrupted by Sam, as they lock eyes, knowing just how big the story would get.
The preparations are massive, and tensions are high as everyone around the interview room holds their breath for the interview, which broke the internet.
As the trailer ends, Emily is clearly under pressure as she looks directly into Prince Andrew’s nervous eyes, presses play on her recorder, and exhales, “Your Royal Highness.”
Starring Rufus Sewell and Gillian Anderson, the film tracks Andrew’s disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis.
The film is based on Sam McAllister’s memoir, Scoops: Behind The Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews.
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The Duke of York said he had “no recollection” of meeting Virginia Roberts GiuffreCredit: Rex Features
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During the interview, Andrew said one encounter in 2001 did not happen as he spent the day with his daughter Princess Beatrice, taking her to Pizza Express in Woking for a party
