Beatrice Reportedly Blamed for Andrew’s Downfall After Reports He Was ‘Thrown Under the Bus’ by His Own Family
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest for suspicion of misconduct in public office took everyone by surprise, mostly because Andrew’s association with Epstein had been known for years, and nothing had happened. In fact, Andrew even settled a lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre years ago, with money he reportedly got from Queen Elizabeth. So, the expectation was that things could continue to be the same and he would not face any repercussions.
However, that wasn’t the case. And now, some are pointing at this daughter, Princess Beatrice, as one of the reasons.
Related: Here’s what each royal inherited from Queen Elizabeth
The beginning of the downfall of Andrew, everyone agrees, can be traced to that fateful 2019 Newsnight interview where Andrew confirmed his connection with Epstein. And the producer who secured the broadcast claims Beatrice played a big role in making it happen.
Sam McAlister, the Newsnight producer who negotiated the interview, said Beatrice was an integral part in the negotiations. “In my view, when Princess Beatrice came along unexpectedly to the face-to-face negotiation, which happened just three days before this interview physically happened, I called her the ‘rainmaker.'”
She added, “The reason is because she was protecting her father’s interests. She was super-polite, super-nice, super-friendly. But in that room with the people that were there, she was the one who had his interest purely at heart.”
“And it was clear that if we did not answer her questions well, this interview was never going to happen. That is why I believe she was profoundly important in the conversation.”
The interview happened at a time when Andrew was facing mounting criticism for his relationship with Epstein, and as Beatrice was about to get married. “The human reason was he was about to turn 60. His daughter was about to get married, and he wanted, as a father, to walk her down the aisle and return to the life that he had had before these onerous allegations and friendships hung over him like a dark cloud. So his motivation is to, I suppose, clear his name.” McAlister said.
It did not materialize. Instead, the interview drew widespread criticism of Andrew for both his answers and his demeanor. Only days after the interview, Buckingham Palace announced Andrew would step back from public duties, though at the time he retained his titles and his residence at Royal Lodge. His titles were stripped by his brother, King Charles, in 2025. He was also ordered to vacate Royal Lodge.
RadarOnline reported that Beatrice and Eugenie were “shattered” by Andrew’s arrest. “Each fresh Epstein disclosure feels like a fresh blow for the sisters,” a source said. “Just when they think the worst of it might be behind them, something else surfaces and drags it all back into the spotlight. It’s completely emotionally exhausting for them.”
And, so, they’re putting some distance between themselves and their parents. “There’s embarrassment, yes, but also a great deal of sadness. At the same time, they’re realistic. They understand that how they respond now, the choices they make, the company they keep, and the image they project will shape their long-term standing. They’re thinking carefully about every step.”
According to royal historian and author Andrew Lownie, this was expected. “I’ve been saying for some time they’re going to throw Andrew under the bus to save themselves and this is the first indication of that,” Lownie told The Mirror last year.
He also suggested at the time that more could be coming. “I don’t think it’s the end of it. I think there are many more disclosures to come, but at least they’re taking some decisive action,” Lownie said. “So, I don’t think it’s all over for him.”
Fast forward to now, when Andrew was arrested on his birthday, questioned for over 11 hours, and his homes and offices were raided. The former prince has not been cleared of wrongdoing, and the investigation continues.
