The Daily Beast Podcast

Episode: Why Andrew's Epstein Fall Has Only Begun: Author
Host: Joanna Coles
Guest: Andrew Loney (historian, author of The Rise and Fall of the House of York)
Date: November 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode explores the escalating crisis surrounding Prince Andrew following renewed scrutiny over his ties with Jeffrey Epstein, culminating in his loss of royal titles and exile from royal residences. Host Joanna Coles speaks with returning guest Andrew Loney, whose investigative biography has fueled the current reckoning. The discussion covers the shifting dynamics in the royal family, legal and public consequences for Prince Andrew, broader questions about royal privilege and accountability, and the changing attitude of the British media toward royal scandals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Prince Andrew's Fall from Grace

• Exile and Stripping of Titles: Following revelations from Virginia Giuffre’s book and persistent media scrutiny, King Charles stripped Prince Andrew of his titles and evicted him from the Royal Lodge, relocating him to a modest estate in Norfolk.
• Royal Damage Control: The palace aims to distance the monarchy from Andrew, recognizing public opinion was far ahead of any official actions (03:24–04:18).
• Financial & Legal Peril: Andrew faces calls for investigation regarding sexual and financial crimes. There is speculation he may need to leave the UK for a non-extradition country due to the mounting threat of prosecution (05:24–06:42).

Quote:
"Andrew basically has been thrown under the bus to save the rest of them."
— Andrew Loney (03:14)

2. Public & Institutional Pressure

• Misconduct Allegations: The most likely charge against Andrew would be “malfeasance in public office,” including incidents of pressuring police protection officers to intimidate accusers (06:42–07:56).
• New Testimonies: Former staff and protection officers are coming forward daily, now feeling emboldened amid shifting tides (06:42).

Quote:
"I'm getting, you know, two or three people a day coming forward, quite senior people..."
— Andrew Loney (06:42)

• Legislative Involvement: UK and US authorities, including the Senate Oversight Committee, wish to question Andrew regarding his association with Epstein and potential criminal activity (08:00–09:22).

3. The Extent of Allegations

• Multiple Victims and Witnesses: New women are stepping forward. Legal proceedings and depositions are expected to reveal more about Andrew's activities within Epstein’s network (09:56–10:44).
• Historical Patterns of Behavior: Loney recounts notorious episodes, notably a 2004 trip to Thailand marked by excessive solicitation of prostitutes on public funds (11:13–13:00).

Quote:
"He basically had 40 prostitutes brought to him...he was swapping them with an Arab prince who was also in the hotel."
— Andrew Loney (11:38)

4. Media and Personal Backlash

• Intimidation & Smear Campaigns: As with Virginia Giuffre, Andrew and associates have allegedly attempted to discredit Loney, using PR firms and orchestrated social media attacks (13:13–14:13).
• Press Shift: The British media is now more critical and investigative regarding royal affairs, a notable shift from prior deference (36:02–36:35).

5. Sarah Ferguson and Family Dynamics

• Ferguson’s Complicity & Hypocrisy: Fergie (Sarah Ferguson) reportedly enjoyed close ties with Epstein, staying at his home and introducing her daughters to him post-conviction, while publicly supporting anti-sex trafficking causes (14:54–16:47).
• Financial Motivations: The York family’s ongoing financial reliance on Epstein and others underpins continued association, with evidence of dodgy property deals and unexplained wealth (17:04–17:57).

6. Impact on the Monarchy

• Wider Questions of Privilege: Andrew’s disgrace has provoked public debate on royal benefits, lack of transparency, and the distribution of royal properties and funds to non-working royals (22:29–26:16).
• Survival Through Adaptation: Loney foresees the monarchy surviving if it modernizes—likely through slimming down to the immediate line of succession, increased transparency, and removing titles from non-working royals (26:16–30:04).
• Future of the Royal Family: William is viewed as likely to promote a European-style, low-key monarchy, though transparency may remain elusive (29:10–30:04).

7. Connections to Epstein & Trump

• Unconvincing Denials: Despite visual evidence, Donald Trump denies familiarity with Andrew, though their documented meetings—often involving Epstein and mutual business/golf interests—paint a different picture (30:04–30:57).

Quote:
"They had the same interest in women and golf and making money."
— Andrew Loney (30:13)

8. Decision-Making Behind the Title Stripping

• Family and Palace Dynamics: The decision was reportedly driven by William and Charles, under pressure from public and press. Camilla especially pushed for focus on victims in the palace statement (31:08–31:51).
• King’s Reluctance: Charles reportedly acted out of both familial obligation and mounting public/professional pressure (32:12–33:17).

9. Closing and Looming Questions

• Historical Irony: Andrew, now called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, shares a surname with Lord Mountbatten—a previous royal figure recently exposed as a pedophile, as uncovered by Loney (37:45–38:27).
• Will There Be Real Consequences?: The episode ends with the sense that the reckoning for Andrew—and perhaps the institution—has only just begun.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Andrew basically has been thrown under the bus to save the rest of them." — Andrew Loney (03:14)
• "The most likely charge is malfeasance in public office or misconduct in public office, which carries life imprisonment." — Andrew Loney (06:46)
• "There are lots of women who are connected with him. There were several interviewed during some of the legal cases who pleaded the Fifth Amendment." — Andrew Loney (09:56)
• "He basically had 40 prostitutes brought to him...he was swapping them with an Arab prince." — Andrew Loney (11:38)
• "Fergie...should be a material witness for the FBI." — Andrew Loney (14:54)
• "I don't think Andrew has any problems with money. This idea that they're poor is ridiculous." — Andrew Loney (17:04)
• "They've won a lot of respect for that. William...understood the problem. I think possibly Camilla and Kate as well." — Andrew Loney (22:29)
• "I suspect Harry, Meghan, Beatrice and Eugenie and all these people will have their titles taken away at some point because they're not working royals." — Andrew Loney (26:56)
• "Donald Trump claims not to, not to have met Andrew, though there's plenty of photographic evidence." — Andrew Loney (30:13)
• "Camilla was probably quite instrumental here. She was very instrumental in adding a note to the statement that they were thinking for the victims and that was the most important thing." — Andrew Loney (31:28)
• "One of the ironies is one of my previous subjects, Lord Mountbatten...it's been revealed in my book, that he was a pedophile." — Andrew Loney (37:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------|------------------| | Joanna introduces episode topic & context | 01:28–03:24 | | Andrew Loney outlines Andrew’s current status | 03:24–05:04 | | Legal jeopardy and risk of exile | 05:24–06:42 | | Allegations and staff testimonies | 06:42–09:22 | | Epstein connections, sexual misconduct details | 09:56–11:13 | | The Thailand incident & York's behavior | 11:13–13:00 | | Media intimidation and cover-up efforts | 13:13–14:13 | | Sarah Ferguson’s involvement and family hypocrisy | 14:54–16:47 | | Andrew’s finances and forced move | 17:04–17:57 | | Broader royal family impact and public backlash | 22:29–26:16 | | Adapting monarchy for survival | 26:16–29:10 | | William’s possible modernizing role | 29:10–30:04 | | Trump, Epstein, and Andrew’s ties | 30:04–30:57 | | Palace decision-making and Camilla’s role | 31:08–31:51 | | Press attitude shift and Loney’s reporting | 36:02–36:35 | | The Mountbatten family legacy | 37:45–38:27 |

Memorable Moments

• Andrew Loney's vivid account of Andrew's 2004 Thailand trip, demonstrating not just personal vice but also a network of enablers within the royal apparatus (11:13–13:00).
• Joanna's observation of the “sinister” nature of emails revealed in US oversight testimony, highlighting Andrew’s ongoing duplicity (09:22–09:56).
• Loney directly contrasts the supposed destitution of Andrew with evidence of vast inherited and generated wealth (17:04).
• The historical resonance of Andrew now carrying the surname Mountbatten, referencing his linkage to Lord Mountbatten, another royal disgraced by sexual predation (37:45).

Tone & Style

The conversation is both journalistic and candid, blending rigor with darkly humorous asides (e.g., references to Norfolk weather, peppercorn rents, and “bicycling royals”). Both host and guest display a direct, unsparing attitude toward the elite, while grounding accusations in documentary research.

For Listeners

This episode offers a comprehensive, fast-moving analysis of the latest developments in the Prince Andrew scandal and their implications for the British royal family, deftly connecting personal conduct, public outcry, institutional accountability, and media responsibility. It’s essential listening for anyone following the ongoing reckoning around Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates, or the fate of modern monarchy.

Further Reading:

• Andrew Loney’s book: The Rise and Fall of the House of York (and an upcoming updated edition)
• Virginia Giuffre’s book: Nobody’s Girl