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For several months the Duke of York had been facing questions over his ties to
Epstein - an American financier who, at the age of 66, took his own life while awaiting
trial on sex-trafficking charges.

Prince Andrew "categorically" denied having an sexual contact with Virginia Giuffre,
who claimed she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew on three occasions
when she was a teenager.

The first occasion, she said, took place when she was aged 17.

Asked about the prince's decision to be interviewed by BBC Newsnight's Emily

Maitlis, Mr Arbiter said he thought a lot of questions would be asked in Buckingham
Palace.

He said: "They will be wondering: was this the right decision? Was the right decision
made? Who made the decision to put him on? Did he make it himself or did he seek
advice within the palace?
 Prince Andrew 'categorically' denies sex claims
 Prince Andrew's links to Jeffrey Epstein
 Who was Jeffrey Epstein?
 Prince Andrew 'appalled' by Epstein abuse claims

"My guess is that he bulldozed his way in and decided he was going to do it himself
without any advice.

"Any sensible-thinking person in the PR business would have thrown their hands up
in horror at the very suggestion that he puts himself up in front of a television camera
to explain away his actions and his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein."

Mr Arbiter said he believed the interview would have an impact on the Duke of York's
relationships with various charities.

'Sign of arrogance'

Other royal experts also questioned the prince's decision to speak so publicly about
his relationship with Epstein.

Royal biographer Angela Levin said she was gripped by the interview but felt it was
"ill-judged" to offer insights into his life with Epstein.
"Unfortunately it was a sign of his arrogance," she said. "He has always been
arrogant.

"The Queen's motto is don't complain don't explain. I think in her heart she will be
extremely embarrassed.

"I know for a fact Prince Andrew does not listen to his advisers.

"A very senior member of the press team left suddenly two weeks ago and the
implication is he would not have approved of what Prince Andrew did."
Skip Twitter post by @RoyalDickie

Prince Andrew "bulldozed his way" into a BBC interview which did more
damage than good, according to Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter.
The ex-Buckingham Palace press officer queried why the prince decided to answer
questions about his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The prince said the fallout over Epstein's arrest had been "a constant sore" in the
Royal Family.

A lawyer for Epstein's accusers urged the prince to talk to US authorities.

The prince's decision to speak so candidly about his relationship with Epstein - who
died in prison after he was charged with sex trafficking - and answer allegations
about sex with a teenage girl was questioned by a number of royal experts.

Mr Arbiter described the interview as "excruciating".