'A Very Royal Scandal' Gives a Fictional Peek at Prince Andrew's Relationship with Ex-Wife Sarah Ferguson
Michael Sheen and Claire Rushbrook star in the Amazon Prime Video miniseries.
Prince Andrew's notorious BBC Newsnight interview is dramatized in the new Amazon Prime Video miniseries, A Very Royal Scandal—released Sept. 19—and while the focus is on Andrew's TV appearance, the show also explores his relationship with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
Welsh actor Michael Sheen portrays the Duke of York in the three-part miniseries, which follows BBC journalist Emily Maitlis as she prepares for her now-infamous 2019 interview with Prince Andrew about his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Although the couple divorced in 1996, Andrew and Sarah (more commonly known as Fergie) still live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor, and in A Very Royal Scandal viewers get a fictional peek at their unusual relationship.
The famously close exes—who share daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie—are shown enjoying pursuits such as charades in the miniseries, a game they're playing when Andrew gets the call that Epstein had died by suicide in prison.
When the royal—who was accused of sleeping with Virginia Giuffre, a then-17-year-old girl trafficked by Epstein, in 2001—faces increasing public backlash over the allegations, he turns to his family for support.
With her bright red wig, Claire Rushbrook bears an uncanny resemblance to Fergie, and in the first episode, the Duchess of York tells Andrew that she was "never" going to ask him if the allegations were true.
Instead, she promises that she'll support him through his troubles, although the duchess admonishes Andrew for traveling to New York and asking Epstein for money when she needed financial help—a scene that's also depicted in the miniseries.
Stay In The Know
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.
The former couple have certainly weathered many storms together IRL, with A Very Royal Scandal emphasizing that while they might not be romantically involved, Prince Andrew was willing to go out on a limb to support his ex-wife.
For her part, Fergie—who calls the Yorks "the happiest divorcées in the world" in one scene—equally supports and puts Andrew in his place, at one point telling her ex, "When I make a mistake, I take responsibility. Your lot wouldn't know sorry if it put on a wig and danced the can-can."
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie seem unwilling to believe the allegations against their father when they find out, with Beatrice (played by Tilda Swinton's daughter, Honor Swinton Byrne) playing a larger role in the show.
A Very Royal Scandal depicts how older sister Beatrice attended a meeting with Maitlis and the rest of her Newsnight team in order to secure the interview, which Andrew and his family thought would help clear his name.
However, a more down-to-earth side of the royals is also portrayed in the Prime Video series, with Eugenie and Beatrice joking about their father's "Randy Andy" nickname from the '80s as they attend one of his royal events.
As for real life, King Charles is currently trying to convince Fergie and Andrew to move out of Royal Lodge—but whether they continue their friendly exes living arrangement elsewhere remains to be seen.
A Very Royal Scandal is now streaming on Prime Video.
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.”
-
Sarah Jessica Parker Matches Her Teal Sweater to Her Tights
This is extremely Carrie-coded.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Teen Cancer Patient Says Princess Kate and Prince William Were "Filled With Humanity and Kindness" After "Shock" Meeting
The royal couple helped 16-year-old Liz Hatton tick an item off her bucket list.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why Princess Kate Keeps Wearing These Gold Statement Earrings
They have a poignant hidden meaning.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
Princess Eugenie and Sarah Ferguson Share Rare Unseen Photos of Princess Beatrice's Daughter, Sienna, After Pregnancy Announcement
The "proud GiGi" and sister posted some family moments on Instagram.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Beatrice Is Reportedly "Sick of Being Humiliated" Amid Continued Prince Andrew Drama
"Beatrice always gets stuck in the middle of things, playing peacemaker on behalf of her dad."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Andrew's Infamous 'Newsnight' Interview is Revisited in Amazon Prime Video's New Miniseries 'A Very Royal Scandal'
The streamer released all three episodes on Sept. 19.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Queen Elizabeth's Corgis Still Bringing "Unconditional Love" and "Joy" to Sarah Ferguson
Before her death, the Queen entrusted her beloved corgis to Duchess Sarah and Prince Andrew.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Will Prince Harry Be Removed from the Royal Family's Line of Succession?
"Like Edward VIII, Prince Harry does not wish to perform the role of royalty expected of him."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Royal Rift Could Be Fixed by His Cousins, Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall
They want to find "a way forward with Meghan and the children."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Queen Elizabeth Gave Princess Beatrice a Literal Mansion for Her 9th Birthday
But her mom made her give it back.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Eugenie Wants to Leave Portugal for the U.K. on a "Permanent Basis"
The royal is reportedly "adamant" about moving back to London with her two sons.
By Amy Mackelden Published