Articles by Editor,Maanya Sachdeva

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The Virginia Giuffre interview that 'never aired': Late Andrew accuser's memoir reveals the moment she felt 'defeated by the people I was trying to speak out against'

The Virginia Giuffre interview that 'never aired': Late Andrew accuser's memoir reveals the moment she felt 'defeated by the people I was trying to speak out against' The claim is made in Virginia's posthumously released title Nobody's Girl READ MORE: Royal biographer claims there is 'a good chance' Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson 'could go to prison' By MAANYA SACHDEVA, ASSOCIATE EDITOR, ROYALS Published: 07:21 GMT, 31 October 2025 | Updated: 07:21 GMT, 31 October 2025 Virginia Giuffre's highly sought-after first TV interview about her accusations against Andrew was 'never aired', the late Epstein accuser has claimed in her posthumously released memoir. Giuffre, who died by suicide aged 41 in April, wrote that she had been 'defeated by the people I was trying to speak out against' in the book that has forced renewed scrutiny into Andrew's ties with the late paedophile financier. In her memoir, titled Nobody's Girl, Giuffre noted that every major TV network 'wanted to interview me' before she chose ABC 'in the end'. Giuffre described how she flew to New York from Denver with her three children for the interview with journalist Amy Robach so they could understand 'why Mommy was always either on the phone or, too often, leaving on a plane'. 'For probably 90 minutes, I told Robach everything I knew about how Epstein and [Ghislaine] Maxwell had organised their sex trafficking ring,' she wrote. Giuffre explained she 'told her the names of several men' she had allegedly been trafficked to, including Andrew, and 'wept' when she recalled certain instances of alleged abuse. 'There was a celebratory feeling in the room' after the interview was filmed but, Giuffre wrote, the excitement soon turned into worry when its release kept getting delayed. 'Finally, someone from the network told my legal team that because I'd told Robach about being trafficked to Prince Andrew, the network had to reach out to Buckingham Palace and an attorney for Epstein,' she continued. 'Why that was causing such delays was unclear...But for whatever reason, ABC never aired the interview.' Virginia Giuffre 's highly sought-after first TV interview about her accusations against Andrew was 'never aired', the late Epstein accuser has claimed in her posthumously released memoir. Andrew is seen here with Prince William at the late Duchess of Kent's funeral One of Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent accusers, Giuffre died by suicide in April this year. She was 41. However, the Savannah-born advocate laid bare the extent of abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of the late paedophile, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Andrew in her posthumous memoir. She claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times - allegations he has repeatedly and vehemently denied - during that time. Ahead of its publication, the disgraced 65-year-old Royal Family member gave up use of his royal titles, including Duke of York, as the memoir's ghostwriter said Virginia would have seen this as a 'victory'. This was especially after the setbacks she allegedly encountered during her legal battles, including the ABC interview that was never broadcast. Explaining what allegedly happened at the time, Giuffre claimed every major TV network 'wanted to interview me', adding: 'We weighed our options and, in the end, chose ABC.' She said she was a 'fan of the anchor Amy Robach' who was working with her producer Jim Hill, 'a top-notch investigative reporter'. Virginia claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times - allegations he has repeatedly and vehemently denied - in the book that revisited her story in harrowing detail. Virginia, then 17, is pictured with Andrew in 2001 Her memoir was published posthumously earlier this month as the Savannah-born advocate laid bare the extent of abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of the late paedophile, Ghislaine Maxwell , and Andrew She shared how ABC 'hired two nannies' for Alex, Tyler, and Ellie, so she could prep for the interview at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel before the interview. 'I was excited,' the memoir read. 'This could be a game changer, I thought. 'After years of seeing the media as my enemy, I wanted to believe that the media could also help our cause,' she said, on behalf of Epstein's accusers. When the interview was over, 'there was a celebratory feeling in the room', she said. Giuffre added: 'When I reunited with my kids that night, I told them, "Your mom did a good job today." 'Then the waiting began,' she continued, explaining that the broadcast kept getting delayed. ‘We were strung along for weeks, with no explanation for the delay,’ the memoir read. ‘Finally, someone from the network told my legal team that because I’d told Robach about being trafficked to Prince Andrew, the network had to reach out to Buckingham Palace and an attorney for Epstein. In a leaked video of Robach, she allegedly said the network 'feared losing access to Prince William and Kate Middleton' ‘Why that was causing such delays was unclear,’ the book continued. ‘Robach and her producer were outraged. ‘But for whatever reason, ABC never aired the interview.’ A footnote in the harrowing memoir described former ABC journalist Robach's 'hot mic' moment when she was filmed saying that lawyers for the paedophile financier and the Firm 'applied pressure to nix the interview'. 'Robach said that "every day I get more and more p****d" that her interview with me didn’t air and that "what we had was unreal",' it read. 'In the recording, Robach said that she was told by higher-ups, "Who’s Jeffrey Epstein? No-one knows who that is. This is a stupid story". Giuffre also claimed ABC 'feared losing access to Prince William and Kate Middleton' in the future. The Daily Mail has reached out to Robach and ABC News for comment. At the time, Robach described the video as having captured a 'private moment of frustration' in a statement that read: 'The interview itself, while I was disappointed it didn’t air, didn’t meet our standards. 'In the years since no one ever told me or the team to stop reporting on Jeffrey Epstein, and we have continued to aggressively pursue this important story.' ABC News also said 'not all of our reporting met our standards to air' at the time. After Virginia's posthumous memoir was published, Andrew agreed to give up his royal titles - as royal expert predicted the book would be 'toxic' for him. He is seen here at Prince Philip's funeral, with now-King Charles (front) and William Giuffre wrote this setback on her quest for justice against her abusers left her feeling despondent. 'I'd been defeated once again by the people I was trying to speak out against. ‘And I couldn't help wonder, if a media giant like ABC could be shut down in its attempts to reveal the truth, was there any hope for survivors like me?’ Giuffre would wait four years for the opportunity to tell her story on TV. When she finally sat down opposite Samantha Guthrie along with five other Epstein accusers for NBC's Dateline, Giuffre described in detail how she was allegedly forced to have sex with Andrew in 2001 when she was 17. The alleged encounter reportedly took place at Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell's London townhouse after the royal gave her vodka at a night club. Andrew has repeatedly and vehemently denied Guiffre's accusations, calling them 'false' and 'without foundation' and saying 'any suggestion of impropriety with under-age minors is 'categorically untrue'. 'He was an abuser. He was a participant,' she told the Dateline programme. 'The first time in London, I was so young. Ghislaine woke me up in the morning and said, "you're gonna meet a prince today." 'I didn't know at that point that I was going to be trafficked to a prince,' she said. Although he denies Giuffre's account, Andrew settled a US civil case she lodged for a reported £12million, reportedly receiving money from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, to help meet the costs. Giuffre also claimed in the book that Epstein subjected her to sadomasochistic sex which caused her 'so much pain that I prayed I would black out'. Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a person under the age of 18. He was found dead in his jail cell in August 2019, while Maxwell was jailed for 20 years in 2022 for finding girls for Epstein to abuse. Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew in August 2021, seeking unspecified damages for battery, including rape, and the infliction of emotional distress. The Prince and Princess of Wales with Andrew at the late Duchess of Kent's funeral She alleged that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times when she was just 17 years old under the orders of the late paedophile. This newspaper previously revealed how Andrew told the Met Police to dig up dirt on Giuffre by handing over her confidential social security number and date of birth to his taxpayer-funded police protection officer. The Met is 'actively looking into the claims made'. Ahead of Giuffre's memoir being published, Andrew agreed to give up his royal titles - including Duke of York. Speaking to Newsnight afterwards, the ghostwriter of Nobody's Girl, Amy Wallace, said his 'life is being eroded because of his past behaviour'. Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire about what she thought of Andrew relinquishing his titles, Amy said: 'I can speak for Virginia. 'I know that she would view it as a victory that he was forced, by whatever means, to voluntarily give them up. 'For many, maybe particularly in the United States, but maybe even in the UK, it's a symbolic gesture, but it's an important one. 'It's made history, modern history, in terms of the royal era. I mean it... I've never heard of such a thing happening, and it is also just a step in the right direction. 'You know, Virginia wanted all the men who she'd been trafficked to against her will to be held to account. 'And this is just one of the men, but he is being forced to, even though he continues to deny it, his life is being eroded because of his past behaviour, as it should be.' It comes after King Charles officially announced Andrew would be stripped of his 'Prince' title and be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor with immediate effect. In a bombshell announcement, His Majesty also confirmed Andrew has been 'served notice' to leave the Royal Lodge and 'move to alternative private accommodation'. Ghislaine MaxwellJeffrey EpsteinKate Middleton Share or comment on this article: The Virginia Giuffre interview that 'never aired': Late Andrew accuser's memoir reveals the moment she felt 'defeated by the people I was trying to speak out against' Add comment

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Meghan Markle finally reveals why she always goes barefoot to greet guests - as she opens up about Lilibet's 'very strong personality'

Meghan Markle has revealed why she always goes barefoot to greet guests at her Montecito mansion during a book event in California, adding the act 'demystifies' her to people. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, also gushed about her 'incredible' daughter Princess Lilibet, four, while chatting with close friend Courtney Adamo at Godmothers bookstore in Summerland. During the conversation, which was livestreamed online, Meghan revealed her go-to move for making her guests feel comfortable was to open the door of her and Prince Harry's $29million home while 'barefoot' with an 'apron on'. Despite her enviable collection of stilettos, the Duchess's love of going barefoot is well-documented, with the mother-of-two often preferring to go shoeless in her As Ever promo shots. The former actress has even managed to convince her family members to follow in her footsteps; the Duke, 40, was famously mocked online for baring his 'dirty' soles in the photo that announced Meghan's second pregnancy in February 2021. For many fans, the sight of the Prince's bare feet proved too much as they urged the King's son to 'buy some shoes and put them away'. Meanwhile, Lilibet has also been spotted barefoot in her garden in sweet snaps with her mother. Explaining the rationale for opening the door without shoes on, Meghan said: 'It demystifies. People walk in and go, "Oh, she’s in this with me." 'And what are they drawn to? Your kitchen. They come right in, and suddenly everyone’s a little bit softened.' Like her father, Lilibet also appears to be following in her mother's footsteps - with fans pointing out the red-headed toddler is almost always barefoot in photos and videos posted by Meghan. Most recently, Lilibet was seen happily running around the backyard of the Sussexes' home in a video clip shared on Meghan's Instagram profile on the occasion of International Day of the Girl. The former Suits actress also uploaded a sweet image showing her holding hands with Lilibet as the pair explored the grounds of the house together. Lilibet, who was dressed in an all-pink outfit, was carrying the £35 'rainbow bag' from British toy brand Jellycat but seemingly decided against slippers or shoes. She went barefoot again during the family's Disneyland holiday to celebrate Lilibet's fourth birthday in June, as seen in one of Meghan's snaps on her Instagram account. shared intimate details of how she and are raising Lilibet, four, and son Archie, six. She opened up about the parenting tips and techniques her children respond best to - including the 'rose and thorn' ritual that is a particular favourite of Lilibet's. The 'rose and thorn' exercise - sometimes referred to as 'rose, bud, and thorn' helps young children open up and reflect on their lives by sharing a positive experience (rose), difficult moment (thorn), and something they are looking forward to (bud). Meghan said the activity can be particularly helpful when they only give 'yes and no answers'. 'Our daughter, she's four and she's a very strong personality and she's incredible,' Meghan said. 'And now she's in this moment where I say, "What's your rose and your thorn?" And she goes, 'My day was just a blast.' Yesterday's event was organised at Godmother's bookstore that is backed by Oprah Winfrey, who famously interviewed the Sussexes after they quit the Royal Family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have close ties to Godmothers, with a photo of the pair at its grand opening in 2024 displayed prominently inside the bookshop. Both Harry and Meghan's books, including the prince's 2023 memoir Spare and his wife's children's book The Bench, are also on sale in the 'local authors' section. Meghan was invited to participate in the event by Courtney, with the pair having first crossed paths at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois back in 2001. 'We've been friends since college just so you know,' Meghan eagerly told the crowd in reference to her decades-long friendship with Courtney. The Duchess added that she and Courney met 'when [they] were 17' and shared how their upbringings differed. 'She grew up on a tulip farm. I did not grow up on a tulip farm,' said Meghan, who referred to 'growing up in a small duplex' in Los Angeles soon after. 'I learned so many things from Courtney,' she continued. She then recalled a time when she and Adamo, who were in the same sorority at Northwestern University, had planned to make a trip from their home in California back to school in Chicago, Illinois back in 2001. 'We were meant to fly [to Chicago] but here's why we didn't: because 9/11 happened on that same day,' she shared with the stunned audience. 'So the two of us ended up driving 30 hours over three days. 10 hours a day. From Los Angeles to Chicago together at one of the most fragile, tender times in this country.' After their chat, Markle put on her hostess hat and whisked lucky attendees to the bookstore's patio, where she served up glasses of 'beautifully crafted' Sauvignon Blanc from her wine line, As Ever. On the same day as Meghan's bookstore appearance, the Duchess teased a major As Ever announcement while asking fans to 'save the date' amid rumours she is gearing up for a new product launch. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, took to Instagram on Thursday night to share a video featuring her strolling casually amongst trees, dressed in a black dress and white cardigan. Accompanying the clip, which was set to piano music, were the words: 'Save The Date 10.28.2025... As Ever', and an excerpt was also posted to her Instagram story. She is seen reaching up towards a tree before the screen fades to show the As Ever logo, a palm tree with two birds. It is thought the date could mark a new product announcement or campaign by Meghan, although there is no hint as to what it could be. It is rumoured her latest foray into the business world, following a troubled partnership with Netflix and the release of her podcast Archetypes, could lead her into the beauty industry.