“Disastrous” and “excruciating” are just some of the words being used to describe an unprecedented interview given by Prince Andrew to address his friendship with American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York was grilled on the BBC’s Newsnight about his links to the convicted paedophile, who died in prison earlier this year, and allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl.
His appearance on the programme was the culmination of years of statements from Buckingham Palace, and was intended to dispel increasing scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein.
Many viewers and analysts have been left stunned by the nature of the hour-long interview, with one public relations expert comparing the footage to “watching a man in quick sand”.
Crisis consultant Mark Borkowski said it would likely “haunt” the duke in future and could impact his association with some charities that he works with.
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He added: “I’ve never seen anything so disastrous. For students of PR, that is how not to do it. It was like watching a man in quick sand and unfortunately, I don’t think anyone would have thrown him a line to get him out.”
Mr Borkowski said the duke should “keep a low profile”, switch off his phone and not look at the papers on Sunday, which are dominated by the fallout from the interview.
Several have focused on his claim that he was in a Pizza Express restaurant in Woking on a night he is accused of having sex with Virginia Roberts-Giuffre, who says she was trafficked by the billionaire Epstein as a teenager and then forced to have sex with his friends – including Prince Andrew when she was just 17.
The Sunday Mirror described the way he answered questions as “bizarre” and questioned why he did not regret his friendship with Epstein, while the Mail On Sunday ran the headline: “Not a single word of remorse.”
Some of those who watched the programme on Saturday have asked why the palace agreed to go ahead with it, with interviewer Emily Maitlis having said that the interview was signed off by the Queen.
Piers Morgan labelled it as “excruciating” in response to a tweet from Rose McGowan – the actress who became one of the most vocal accusers of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
The former Charmed star said watching the interview made her feel “nauseous”.
Ms Roberts-Giuffre was also active on Twitter as the programme aired, retweeting a number of negative reactions, including one that accused the duke of trying to “undermine his accuser”.
He has been mocked relentlessly on social media for some of his comments during the interview, notably those surrounding his mention of Pizza Express.
Prince Andrew has received some backing over the interview, including from ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
The Duchess of York posted on social media to defend him, saying: “It is so rare to meet people that are able to speak from their hearts with honesty and pure real truth, that remain steadfast and strong to their beliefs.
“Andrew is a true and real gentleman and he is stoically steadfast to not only his duty, but also his kindness and goodness of always seeing the best in people.”
She added that she was “deeply supportive of this giant of a principled man”.
