Prince Andrew was pictured in Windsor Park enjoying a September canter in the sunshine.
The royal, who stepped back from public duties in 2019 following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, appeared relaxed in the face of Prime Video’s three-part series, A Very Royal Scandal, being released tomorrow.
The programme follows the real-life story of how the interview was set up and the famous 2019 BBC One encounter that followed between Prince Andrew and journalist Emily Maitlis.
Today though, the former working royal, 64, appeared carefree as he rode his horse through Windsor Castle’s surrounds on Wednesday.
Wearing a black and white riding hat, waxed jacket and jodphurs, the late Queen’s youngest son smiled as he rode through Great Windsor Park.
Care-free: The Duke of York, 64, looked relaxed as he rode his horse in Great Windsor Park this morning, ahead of the release of Prime Video’s three-parter A Very Royal Scandal, about his 2019 interview with Emily Maitlis
The former BBC journalist, 54, was on the show to promote the new Prime Video three-part series A Very Royal Scandal which follows the story of setting up the interview (seen) and the famous encounter itself
Amazon Prime released the trailer for upcoming drama A Very Royal Scandal last Wednesday, after announcing when it will drop on the streamer
Tomorrow sees the much-anticipated unveiling of Prime’s take on the interview that would spark the Prince stepping back from public duty – a role he had undertaken for most of his life.
This week, former BBC journalist Maitlis, 54, revealed what it felt like watching the series for the first time.
Maitlis is played by actress Ruth Wilson, 42, while Michael Sheen portrays the Duke Of York.
Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Maitlis recounted her time doing the interview, candidly saying watching the series back reminded her of the stress of taking on the challenge.
She said: ‘When I watch the drama I get palpitations – it takes me back to when I thought ‘will I remember to ask the right questions? Can I do this?”
Actor Michael Sheen (left) portrays the Duke Of York (right) in the new production yet he appeared to be absent from the screening in NYC
Emily Maitlis reflected on her history-making interview with Prince Andrew in 2019 as she appeared on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain
She added of her reaction to Prince Andrew’s demeanour: ‘I realised early on he would be candid in his responses. We never assumed guilt and it was an hour of his own words.
‘It didn’t matter what he said it was always going to make history. We knew we only had one shot at it to hear from the Prince. It was a document of public record if anything.
‘We were building up the picture of what actually happened and it was quite forensic.’
When asked by host Richard Madeley what she thought of the Prince when the interview was done she carefully answered: ‘I thought he had tried very hard to remember his lines…
‘He wanted us to film extra pieces too he wanted to expand on the Pizza Express stuff and things like that. It was a dilemma as a journalist whether to add stuff he wanted at the end.
‘But he was happy with the interview he gave us a tour of the Palace after the interview and he even invited us back.’
She added of the potential harm the interview could have caused: ‘I do worry about the fallout from it.
‘There was fallout for his family. I feel concern for him as I do for anyone that has had a drop in status. But I don’t regret the interview.’
Speaking on GMB Emily recounted her time doing the interview, candidly saying watching the series back reminded her of the stress of taking on the challenge
She said: ‘When I watch the drama I get palpitations – it takes me back to when I thought ‘will I remember to ask the right questions? Can I do this?”
Actress Ruth Wilson, 42, (seen) plays Emily in the new drama while Michael Sheen portrays the Duke Of York
She added of the potential harm the interview could have caused: ‘I do worry about the fallout from it’
Emily continued: ‘There was fallout for his family. I feel concern for him as I do for anyone that has had a drop in status. But I don’t regret the interview’
To counter balance her point she added: ‘But nothing has been concluded for Epstein’s victims still.’
Amazon Prime released the trailer for upcoming drama A Very Royal Scandal last Wednesday, after announcing when it will drop on the streamer.
The three part series will premiere on 19 September exclusively on Prime Video in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
It comes just five months after rival streaming platform Netflix’s version, which was out on April 5.
In the trailer, Wilson’s Emily can be seen pursuing the story that would make her a global household name and destroy the Prince’s reputation in a pivotal moment in British history.
Before the interview, the Duke of York quips: ‘I’m going to blow this out of the water.’
He adds in a voiceover: ‘I’ve been warned about you. You have a bit of a reputation.’
Emily then cheekily responds, while sitting across from him: ‘Well, for you, I’ll try and behave.’
It then cuts to the interview and then its aftermath, where Emily says: ‘I was only ever hoping to ask the right questions.’
The upcoming series by Amazon MGM Studios will focus far more on Emily – who serves as an executive producer, whereas Netflix’s Scoop focused on Prince Andrew.
A spokesperson for Amazon confirmed the series will ‘follow Emily Maitlis’ professional and personal journey as a Newsnight journalist, leading up to her acclaimed interview with Prince Andrew.’
A press released added: ‘A Very Royal Scandal follows the action of Emily and Prince Andrew in the lead-up to the interview, the ground-breaking event itself and the many questions left in its wake that would change their lives forever.’
Ruth (left) will star as journalist Emily
She added of her reaction to Prince Andrew’s demeanour: ‘I realised early on he would be candid in his responses. We never assumed guilt and it was an hour of his own words’
When asked by host Richard Madeley what she thought of the Prince when the interview was done she carefully answered: ‘I thought he had tried very hard to remember his lines…’
Emily and Ruth are pictured at a NYC screening for the series on Monday night
The first episode sees Prince Andrew attempt to declare his innocence as he finds himself at the centre of an international scandal while Newsnight presenter, Emily, does everything within her power to secure an interview with him.
The second instalment features the interview but the meeting takes various twists and turns that neither Emily, nor the Newsnight team, could have expected.
Finally, in the third episode Prince Andrew is left to navigate the fallout for himself, his family, and the Royal firm as Emily considers her reputation and the future of her career.
The three part series will premiere on 19 September exclusively on Prime Video in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk