The inside story of Prince Andrew’s notorious BBC interview | Sam McAlister | TEDxNewcastle

On 16 November 2019, Prince Andrew appeared on BBC Newsnight across from legendary newsreader Emily Maitlis and proceeded to give one of the most remarkable interviews in the history of the Royal Family.
The interview led directly to Prince Andrew being forced to give up all public positions representing the Royal Family as well as a lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre and the eventual settlement out of court which has been reported to have been as high as £12m.
In the aftermath, the biggest question was why did this interview happen at all? The Royal Family are notorious for the micro-management of their public appearances and image. Prince Andrew’s top advisers and lawyers argued against the appearance. So why?
Sam McAlister was the person leading the discussions on behalf of the BBC which eventually brought the Newsnight crew into Buckingham Palace for the interview. She came to Tyneside to give her account of how to convince a Prince - where it started, how it ended and the moral of the story. Sam McAlister is a BAFTA-nominated interviews producer who has negotiated with everyone from Buckingham Palace to The White House, Tesla to Facebook. With skills honed over a decade in the BBC’s elite news programmes, notably BBC Newsnight, she is used to persuading reluctant individuals to participate in a news programme renowned for its rigour and bite.
Exclusives include, most famously, HRH Prince Andrew - but also Sheryl Sandberg, President Clinton, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Elon Musk, Stormy Daniels, & Julian Assange.
Negotiation, strategy and public speaking have always been at the core of everything that Sam has done - from her time as a criminal defence barrister to her many public speaking and debating prizes, and her dealings with celebrities and governments.
Sam’s book, Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews was released in 2022 and went on to be the basis for a Channel 4 documentary, aired as part of the channel’s Coronation coverage in May. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@anthea9798]

Who's here after the Netflix movie 'Scoop'? 😅

[@cezanne500]

🖐

[@danforeman2199]

Most of us!!

[@aussieplayable]

yep brilliant movie, can't stop thinking about it. Watched it because of Gillian Anderson and Piper Laurie - would have missed it otherwise as I have zero interest in Randy Andy.

[@ambravernuccio]

Hear hear ! Billie piper gives a great take on her

[@suzanneknight]

If someone had told me there was a whippet,I'd have watched it sooner

[@Manormouse-04]

My dad used to say that same thing; "There's no-one in this world above you, but neither are you above anyone."

[@elzach0]

He was wrong though

[@mutelarsorhougbe4606]

Fantastic and true👏🏽

[@yuyutubee8435]

If only our justice systems agreed, yet the rich get away with murder.

[@dfreeman120]

This woman seems insufferable, can’t stop congratulating herself !!!

[@rinalore9416]

🤦🏻‍♀️Did you miss your pun?

[@lizevans7645]

Fantastic talk. Talented, engaging and unapologetic. Get her her own show!

[@massimosquecco8956]

This Lady really can tell a story!

[@WorldRallies]

It sounds to me like he underestimated yourself and Emily because you're women. Had it been paxman and a tough talking male producer then it wouldn't have happened. No doubt he thought you were on his side, admired him even and would go easy on him. Very well done (from a former Newsnight camerawoman who is often underestimated)

[@Disco1000]

💯🎯YES

[@Maliceless100]

Sounds cunning _(and unrelated to journalism)._ Aside from earning huge rating$ for BBC, how does vilifying someone without warrant help anyone?

[@italianmama373]

@@Maliceless100​​⁠ it was a very newsworthy story. The interviewer didn’t vilify him, he did that all on his own.

[@kellygarland63]

Sounds like he underestimated a number of women over the years. Typical.

[@VAPIDISM]

@@Maliceless100 “Vilifying someone” what, when, where and whom ? He chose and accepted to do the interview. The fact that it turned out to be a straightforward shooting himself in the foot affair is down to him and no one else.

[@StellaAdler_]

His arrogance got the better of him, that’s why he said yes, & i watched the interview again last night & in it he ACTUALLY said “oh no i left for chicago & SHE was leaving for the island the next day.” …!!! She meaning Virginia!! How NO ONE heard that answer & especially a seasoned reporter is insane!!! For anyone that doubts he said that, go back & watch it. My mouth literally dropped last night.

[@julierogers1155]

Huh, I did not catch that. Can you post the time here, that it occurs in the interview? Thanks.

[@annajacob7981]

If Emily Maitlis had caught that and questioned him, Andrew might have said he was referring to Ghislaine. I'd love to know when (timestamp) in the video he said that, if you don't mind. Thanks!

[@ChicaG-vg7pj]

@@annajacob7981 Actually, when I thought he was speaking of Ghislaine. I hadn't thought of Virginia - shame on me!

[@annajacob7981]

@@ChicaG-vg7pj I didn't catch that comment of his either. Andrew could have been speaking about Ghislaine or Virginia. Obviously the latter is far more incriminating! I could watch the whole interview again to find out when he said it. But.. what's the point? Junior sleuthing isn't going to further dethrone this former HRH. He's already done that to himself.

[@murdo_mck]

@@annajacob7981 28:40; just search the youtube transcript. What he actually said there is unremarkable.

[@daniellemcclelland3621]

Love everything about this woman. Scoop is fantastic.

[@seerpou]

i love this woman. what a legend

[@lisajay9512]

I wish I could have a couple of drinks over dinner with this lady. Bet she has some stories. 😂 Best interview ever.

[@Human_Herbivore]

I don't think his belief in innocence is as important as people like him believing that they are above it all, including the law.

[@yuyutubee8435]

He's seen zero legal repercussions for his crimes thus far, so he's probably correct, sadly.

[@StephanieCarter-kx1zk]

Age of consent is 16 and 17 in most states.....

[@chriskennedy2298]

Well, the fbi were certainly concerned enough about him But then he had his mum pay off the girl he'd never ever met before with 12m of British taxpayers money

[@hcpsdaviesrp]

Anyone here after watching Scoop? Billie Piper did an amazing job playing her

[@nightw4tchman]

I like Sam, she knew exactly how to play in to Andrew's ego. A smart person who'd brought themselves through hard times would have seen every red flag but he didn't because reality for him was whatever he said it was. That picture at the end shows he didn't even know he'd messed up big time. I can only imagine how it went for him as the public fallout occured.

[@jennybrandt5188]

The "I don't sweat" comment was the dumbest thing I've ever heard anyone say.

[@denisZsuave]

This video cracked the code on giving a killer TED talk

[@julienceaser]

one of the most important and telling interviews in BBC history and the world. Why did Prince Andrew do it.. ego I would say..

[@samanthaharkins4961]

I think she’s amazing, such a clever woman.

[@aristevons]

WELL!!! You did an amazing job!! To bring him down and show the whole world what the Royal family are really like!! And I say thank you!!😃

[@melodymacken9788]

The whole RF... the royal family are nothing like Andrew.

[@georgeleddy483]

I've always wondered about his teddy bears and the strict placing of each on his bed. He would fly into a rage if it was not done right. So, there was a photo that staff would use to keep him from having a fit about his teddy bears. What kind of pampered neurotic is that?

[@julierogers1155]

BIZARRE

[@Teenywing]

Thanks for repeating the most well known story about him.

[@TrevorParsnips]

​@@Teenywingwhy are you cranky?

[@bluest1524]

Very sad. A petulant narcissistic man child, and the teddy bear stuff just makes it bizarre, perverse, completely disconnected from any kind of real life from which he could have grown or improved himself.

[@jooliagoolia9959]

I have a theory about the teddy bears. Its possible he has put a momento in each one of them from each young lady he has accosted maybe... 🤔 Why else would they be suuuuch a big deal??? Just one person's possible theory.

[@debbie995]

Wow. She is just brilliant!

[@stevetoyne]

I wonder how Andrew feels after realising he'd been besten by a woman. How humiliating.

[@meredithhill4259]

Fabulous talk, thank you

[@natashahussain9505]

She is an amazing speaker

[@bees5461]

Totally believe the Queen never for a moment believed her son did these things and she told him he Will fix this! He gulped and thought he would totally roll over a woman interviewing him. The idea that anyone would believe that for a short period of his life he was unable to sweat, but through perseverance and hard work he regained his ability to sweat.

[@newnormal1841]

Then what's she going to fix ? She absolutely knew. She placed her family above morals duty country. She failed. 🤺💐

[@SledDog5678]

I am of the opposite opinion. I think the Queen believed he was guilty!

[@kylieroberts1128]

@@SledDog5678I think she approved the interview because she knew that and knew he’d bury himself.

[@plw7930]

Excellent presentation and examination of hubris.

[@claudettes9697]

Good for her. Great story.

[@maria-lena5919]

She speaks exceptionally well 😮

[@Nyctophora]

Madame, you are a genius.

[@tmackie1694]

Totally distracted by those amaaaazing snake print boots!

[@1964cohibas]

Andrew is the perfect example of when you live your life surrounded by sycophants

[@Nocturnalux]

And protected from any kind of repercussions.

[@TCSC47]

This has to be a major part of his problem.

[@emperorpalpatine783]

Sam is hilarious i love the sarcasm lol

[@damiettes7140]

I just love her! Humor goes a long way

[@c0ronariu5]

She’s a great presenter, I love how glib she is

[@calamityjane4331]

Well done!

[@johnwhitefoot9803]

Good work

[@antonellamR2D2]

They believe themselves to be more smart than normal people, that's how she catches him 👏👏👏

[@Maliceless100]

Sounds cunning _(and unrelated to journalism)._

[@annajacob7981]

"Hubris and royal delusion" - as Sam said - along with a female booking agent and broadcast journalist - are, imo, why Andrew said yes. He was SURE he could convince the masses of his innocence. 😅

[@VAPIDISM]

@@Maliceless100 Thats the second time you have made that rather vague statement. If you dont think that the interviewer Emily Maitlis did a good job then you are one of the few. This was excellent journalism. Now if your “Sounds cunning” is attributed to this Royal, then yes no doubt he though he was being. However he only exposed himself as an arrogant liar. Again if you didnt see that this was the case, you are one of the few.

[@davenejanuszewski7078]

They are normal people

[@VAPIDISM]

@@davenejanuszewski7078 Ha ha 😂Yea sure, because normal people live in massive palaces, enjoy vast wealth for doing very little to earn it, have people bow and curtesy before them, have-straightforward shooting party`s, have friends that are convicted paed philes and sx traffickers of youngsters provide young people for their pleasure, pay millions to an accuser you claim to have never met etc etc. Just normal people 😂

[@elizabethsavage9108]

The documentary was excellent

[@blkhawk661]

Anyone else's thumbnail read "The inside story of Prince Andrew’s notorious BBC"? Whoever handles the TEDx channel either has a sense of humor or doesn't proofread :)

[@TatianadeSaPires]

😏👊

[@anne-vl7qf]

I see BB I thought bad breath?!?!?😮

[@chrischarlescook]

Fascinating talk. When the Royals fall (hopefully sooner rather than later), that interview will be infamous as the first domino.

[@VAPIDISM]

Agreed, i doubt much got passed old Liz and im sure, like most mothers she knew her son.

[@karenlin-mahar3403]

Bravo! 🎉🎉🎉 that was brilliant!

[@muemanzomo8222]

Scooop the movie really did the movie word for word from this TED talk

[@dstirl]

Brilliant presenter - she should be in front of the camera far more often.

[@lucyvanlipton7433]

Great Ted talk!!

[@mtb5778]

great woman. very different to the tv show scoop. ex-barrister!

[@kingounetpizza]

Imagine him watching this now

[@thechaoseffectmind]

i thought the title said notorious B.I.G for a second 😂

[@johnmiller4046]

I’d watch that!

[@thechaoseffectmind]

@@johnmiller4046 right!!

[@AnglephileSwedenGerman]

​@@johnmiller4046😂

[@AnglephileSwedenGerman]

​@thechaoseffectmin 14:58 d y who TF cares about biggy

[@tktru]

Notorious B.B.C.

[@kforest2745]

Prince Andrew has some psychological issues if what I read is true and I don’t think it was a lie he had a freak out on staff when they didn’t place his teddy bears just right. Lol

[@jolucas2607]

Was that real? Is his bed made up with teddy bears?

[@kforest2745]

@@jolucas2607 I’m fairly certain it’s fact, yes. It was reported in a newspaper of London if I recall. It was even included in a recent documentary well not documentary but a televised replay of events with actors (can’t think of the terminology right now lol anyway you get the jist I’m sure). I had a relative exactly like that major behavioural and control issues and extremely materialistic. So yeah it’s not like it doesn’t occur in adults it’s an immaturity.

[@blueishxx]

fabulous

[@DMthefutureme]

Here after watching Royal Scandal

[@CarolynMcPherson-r3z]

Sam McA. is brilliant: clever and interesting.

[@hannabio2770]

What an amazing and beautiful woman she is! ❤

[@TCSC47]

Andrew has something of a track record when it comes to his lack of self awareness of how us plebs view him. Way back in the 80's when Andrew and Fergie were still married, we were treated to the saga of Fergie learning to pilot an aeroplane splashed across all the media. What great fun Fergie was having, but I remember thinking, “You know, - I’d like to learn to fly. Better still, I’d like to be able to afford a car even, and be able to drive to work!” Got right up my nose!

[@El543-r2s]

Legend!

[@ameliesayshola8854]

What a great story! I love her. I watched Scoop and it was riveting. Billie Piper who played her did a great job. To the whiners moaning how she seems so self-important: if this were a man telling the same story about securing the most disastrous interview of all time, you’d be praising him up the wazoo.

[@scottnowell4975]

Didnt she used to play bass for Winger?

[@88clintonjc]

lol

[@aa-zr9ll]

I came back to this because of Netflix's Scoop. I hope Billie Piper does her justice by playing her role.

[@daisymeadow6662]

I thought Billie Piper did a superb job!!!

[@dangerousdan9168]

royalty what a joke

[@Coreyrob26]

Perhaps the most explosive interview of ALL time--and I mean, all time. It's funny because the R. Kelly interview took place the same decade, and was also an absurd slam dunk, but the ramifications of this echoed around the world... I hope Sam is taken care of by the BBC her whole life. She deserves some kind of monthly hero pension, or whatever..

[@tomcoates4022]

I thought that she was brilliant. She read him like a book and brought him to the interview. She knew that he was narcissistic and lacked self awareness and humility and that brought him down.

[@TerryJGeo]

Really well told - but now I only see Billie Piper! lol

[@bukurie6861]

Thank you to hear so beautiful,...😍🫠

[@judybailey9031]

Who is this lady? Her position/job then? She’s good, said she was behind him during his interview.

[@ginotarabotto]

Sam is badass ❤❤❤

[@RobinNorfolk]

Congratulations Sam _/ 👍

[@TCSC47]

I am not particularly a royalist, and Andrew is clearly as thick as two bricks in both his life style and view of his relationship with the British public, but I do feel some sympathy with the whole lot of the Royal Family. If we look around our society here in the developed world we see lots of examples of unfounded hero worship of certain people. Footballers and other sports people, actors and entertainers, even (now don't shoot me!) politicians (!) and others. The Royal family, apparently under the guidance of Prince Philip, plundered this group desire and turned the Royal family into everybody's ideal of a family. At best and with a certain amount of generosity I think this helped British society remain cohesive throughout the 50's and 60's when the nation was recovering from the war. However, the cynical side of me also sees it as a damn good way of hanging onto and even extending your family wealth. But again, to be fair, they did not all run away to a Caribbean island to live the good life and parties. Charles in particular looked for ways to use his privileged position to do things I felt were important. So the lot of them have had to live in a bubble which simply can not have been easy. And now we have the Netflix sagas which were fairly accurate concerning the events I am aware of, but clearly put their own spin on some events for dramatic effect. All I think of that is that it is something I could not deal with! And as somebody has already said here, what would you expect if you surround yourself with sycophants? My final comment - I have often heard the argument over what would be better - our monarchy or a presidential system like the USA. One name ---- Trump!!

[@Blurb111]

He’s not too bright, that’s problem number one and, like his family, has no idea of what is going on in the real world.

[@AvinashSingh-vj3rk]

Nice and happy new year 2024

[@yourtransformationgenie]

Astonishingly, Prince Andrew actually thought the interview went well!...Just goes to show how disconnected from reality he really is.....

[@mickylove76]

She’s dressed like a character from ‘Ab-Fab’.

[@nyart66]

So when did he actually realize he messed up?

[@daisymeadow6662]

He still doesn't realise he messed up.

[@MrDavey2010]

The gloating is offensive which makes cheap the harm done to those victims. Not the right tone at all.

[@christheghostwriter]

Disagree

[@MrDavey2010]

@@christheghostwriter Explain

[@christheghostwriter]

@@MrDavey2010 res ipsa loquitur, my dude 😎

[@kylieroberts1128]

Offended it was a woman who broke Prince Andrew and not some man like Piers Morgan? Imagine how’d he’d gloat. She’s simply telling a background story

[@kitcat4512]

Ask any of the military who were close to Prince Andrew, they will tell you that when they were sweating cobs, Andrew didn't sweat.

[@letolethe3344]

What a badass woman.

[@katd1845]

I just love her!

[@bunyipdragon9499]

Mmmm, why did he agree ti the interview? Easy, arrogance. Having been raised in the belief he was clever because of all his sychophantic circles he just knew he could outsmart a mere woman 😂

[@CarolynMcPherson-r3z]

And I wonder: how could Andrew have been his mother's favorite? What was wrong with her?

[@letolethe3344]

She was a hide-bound, entitled, over-privieged, dull, unimaginative relic of a bygone colonial era that died out decades ago.

[@sinapper1]

Complete narcissism personified.

[@sinapper1]

I hate Prince Andrew by the way, and have been a republican (in the British sense of the word) all my life, but this insignificant cog in the wheel is riding on the back of an important story to make it all about herself.

[@terridimatteo2325]

You talked more about yourself then the experience, several minutes in it's still about you, 10minutes,,, this experience is about it you, how you saw it, entertaining, I tuned in to hear the story play out, maybe you and Meg should discuss other things besides yourself and how great you are ...ZZZZZ

[@NicolaVeitch-c9f]

Because it’s her experience

[@petermilne1203]

Personally, I found this extremely unpleasant to watch and very nacissistic. How clever she thinks she is. I have no time for Prince Andrew but a strong dose of humility might have made this bery disaapointing TED talk a bit more palatable.

[@margomitchell-kz8ql]

Agree. I found her quite offensive and the gloating was quite unbearable.

[@JudyCZ]

I didn't mind, I feel like she managed an extraordinary thing and she deserves to be recognised for it and be proud of it.

[@debndogs2208]

She is gloating - forgetting about the young women and girls who’s lives were ruined. Prince Andrew was her big fish and she is gloating over her catch.

[@sydneyknott6851]

She should be proud she took down the prince. She did those girls a huge service and I’m sure they’re grateful to her

[@Maliceless100]

Aureate charleton, hardly exposing so-called abuse of power.

[@julierogers1155]

Sam McAlister (and Emily Maitlis) famously provided a service to the girls (& young women) who were abused and exploited by Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell.

[@iryna1722]

Her job is to bring people a story. Our responsibility is to learn a lesson from it.

[@jennybrandt5188]

Why wouldn't she be proud of outing a man who abused a young woman?

[@Mooocheropordis]

Why is this a Ted, she's just bigging herself in a 'cool' outfit

[@anjou6497]

Exactly, well said. 👍☕️🌱

[@dyslexicboogaloo]

Because everything thought provoking, innovative and exciting has been Ted-talked already, I guess. But if you’re still watching this channel don’t miss my Kraft Dinner/no-name brand TedX Taste Test coming soon. Spoiler alert: I will be eating both brands out of the bottom of a barrel.

[@TatianadeSaPires]

@@dyslexicboogaloo 😂

[@Pazuzu12]

The minute I saw her reflection in the palace mirror I tht oh yeah Billie Piper

[@julia-nc6ox]

Its greatt that she has the ability to convince but this conquest seemed like low lying fruit and not worthy of a TEDtalk even if it does have an x in the name.

[@neilreading3552]

So, fouteen minutes of teasing before the only point (his hubris) which was well-known already.

[@joolz1063]

I had the same snakeskin boots but mine had a wedge heel🤭🤭🤭🐍

[@fay5479]

Brilliant work... hidden hero !!! Id love a g'nt with this woman...

[@1337flite]

Perhaps Randy Andy aka the HRH Nonce should have read the emperor’s new clothes… Que Sera.

[@rubysmoke7150]

the emperor wears no clothes

[@irisheyes5890]

Why in the first place would she feel the need to talk about this. She does appear to be of self importance.

[@munkami]

Unlike the man himself who is in no way at all self important, arrogant, or privileged

[@bettyboop-xg6jo]

That ageing Rock-Chick look is annoying.

[@Disco1000]

@@munkami😂😂😂😂😂💯🎯

[@severinklein7901]

Good point well done! @@munkami

[@michellerenner6880]

This is probably the biggest get of her career. She’s a producer…. That’s her job…. Land the big stories.

[@sallygarrington301]

It was excruciating 🥺😮😧

[@e.d.3729]

interesting for sure but i don't know how proud i would be to stand up there discuss my careful and elaborate manipulation of another person. i know it's just prince andrew and he's not exactly a good guy, nor does he deserve to be protected, but just as a human being, glorying in the downfall of someone (who is essentially a dummy) due to your carefully laid traps, is kind of..... morally bankrupt or something like it.

[@debndogs2208]

Agreed well said

[@jennideans]

IAgree self gratification ....not a good look

[@equatorialjourney4478]

As she says at the end ..,,the moral of the story is about hubris & royal delusion . If only more ppl were as committed and tenacious about executing their jobs . Your ‘ only Prince Andrew “ right royally underestimated her exactly bc of his privilege and power . Perhaps he was the one who was planning on ‘ manipulation ‘ … Our great grandaughters will thank journos like this for going that extra mile …. In the short term she has benefitted the victims and hopefully enlightened the innumerable apologists who still defend vile pompous entitled predators like him

[@TatianadeSaPires]

I respect your point of view although ... Andrew actually did one excellent job when he turn to be a mockery of himself , a massive social suicide happened inside that interview . Witch *imo was absolutely... brilliant !

[@anniewhitmore7627]

Have to agree

[@Sriyuk]

$20 mill royal tax payer hush money 😂

[@seesnap]

Can’t do the crackling siliva in the microphone I’m out NEXT

[@michellemonet4358]

What?

[@seesnap]

@@michellemonet4358 what I said 👆🏻

[@TatianadeSaPires]

@@michellemonet4358 😶 ... just smile and wave ? yah. Just ...smile... n wave 🙂👋 !

[@Ethel_Red]

Snakeskin? Well done for endorsing the killing of a beautiful, innocent creature..

[@daisymeadow6662]

I doubt its real, far more likely to be imitation.

[@c0ronariu5]

She literally says everything is plastic, not real leather.

[@dermotrees9873]

Free loader.

[@r.deeblanche6939]

Much more interesting to just watch the interview.

[@DanaCormier-po5ib]

Lady! The best! Thing you can do is like shut up! About things you know,nothing about.

[@BLMeredith87]

You can. Learn mor'e about: punctuation - online

[@richardk100]

This woman is enjoying her spotlight. She interviewed Prince Andrew and changed the world. Enough so that it warrented a TED talk.

[@tonyhayes4980]

Her outfit looks like a cry for help

[@oliviabb73849]

Ur mom looks like a cry for help

[@julierogers1155]

LOVE her outfit ... would like to know the brand and where she found it.

[@catsncrows]

You didn't listen to a single thing about how she relates to and deals with people did you?

[@TJ_USA]

Who is this person?

[@iryna1722]

A legend.

[@juicy.em_]

did you watch the video?

[@MW-eg4gu]

Truth seekers? Prejudiced before beginning. But "innocent before proven guilty" is gone with the wind of the Spirit of Our Times.

[@anjou6497]

Yes, why is she showcasing herself mocking him.? yes he's creepy but she's actually just awful. 🥺

[@Argeaux2]

I wish people would start using words such a “folks” rather than “guys”. I saw “some guys” in the city means that you saw “some males” in the city. Look at “that guy” over there means look at “that male” over there. The word doesn’t suddenly become gender neutral if you use it to refer to an audience. All it does is hide the fact that you are also talking to women. If you don’t believe me, try calling an audience “gals” instead. See how that flies.

[@jenninscho1980]

Good point