Prince Andrew is the subject of an upcoming documentary that will explore his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Ahead of its October 5 premiere, Peacock has released a first look trailer for Prince Andrew: Banished. The second son of Queen Elizabeth II, Andrew’s notoriety grew after sexual abuse claims and his connections to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were made public. The 90-minute documentary will feature interviews with those with in-depth knowledge of the situation.
Peacock’s official synopsis reads:
Prince Andrew: Banished is directed by Jamie Crawford, who executive produces alongside Jennifer Harkness, Laura Michalchyshyn, Sam Sniderman, Nina Burleigh, Emma Cooper and Barbara Shearer. Nick McKinney serves as a senior producer and Frank Ombres serves as a producer. The project hails from Blue Ant Studios.
“Prince Andrew: Banished unpacks the tumultuous story of how Prince Andrew, Duke of York — formerly regarded as the attractive, beloved son of Queen Elizabeth II and decorated naval officer — whose behavioral antics throughout his career as a Royal brought scandal and disgrace to the 1200-year legacy of the British Royal Family. Through new interviews with palace insiders, journalists, members of Andrew’s social circle, and the legal team that brought the allegations to light, the documentary takes a deep dive into the world of privilege, jealousy, desire, and greed that pushed Andrew; first, into the orbit of notorious sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and then into a sordid sex trafficking scandal that threatens to bring down the House of Windsor.”
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Prince Andrew: Banished follows other documentaries that have explored the story behind the sex trafficking ring. The 2020 Netflix docuseries Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, also shone a light on the relationship between Andrew, Epstein and Maxwell. During the series, Virginia Giuffrie, one of Epstein’s trafficking victims, accused Andrew of sexual abuse.
The Fall of the Queen’s Favorite Son
Epstein, a former financier with ties to Hollywood’s elite, died in prison in 2019, while awaiting trial. His death was ruled a suicide. Months after Epstein’s death, and following a highly criticized BBC interview with Emily Maitlis, Andrew stepped back from his royal duties. The interview was not well received, as Andrew was accused of showing little sympathy for Epstein’s victims. He also stated that the two were not close friends, even though he had visited Epstein’s homes and had invited the financier to royal events.
In 2022, when a New York judge would not agree to dismiss the sexual assault case against him brought on by Giuffrie, Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew (her favorite son according to the trailer) of his royal patronages and military titles. The lawsuit was settled out of court when Andrew agreed to donate to Giuffrie’s charity. He did not wear his military uniform when attending his mother’s state funeral on September 19. During the event, he was heckled by an attendee who called him a “sick old man.”
Prince Andrew: Banished is part of Peacock’s inaugural DocFest, where the streamer will debut six of its original documentaries weekly beginning September 14.
