AMANDA Thirsk was once known for being Prince Andrew’s private secretary.
However, his loyal aide was asked to ”step down” after his infamous Newsnight interview, which is now being depicted in Netflix movie Scoop.
Who is Amanda Thirsk?
Amanda Thirsk was born in July 1965 and educated at the University of Cambridge.
It was there she studied law before going on to become a successful banker.
Thirsk is also a mum to three children.
She is best known for working for Prince Andrew and was regarded as his right-hand-woman.
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How long has she worked for Prince Andrew?
Thirsk worked as Prince Andrew‘s deputy private secretary before being promoted in 2012.
She was appointed his private secretary in August of that year and quickly became one of his most trusted members of staff.
According to The Telegraph, it was Thirsk who pressed Andrew to undergo his 2019 interview with Newsnight following calls for him to explain his highly publicised and controversial friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
It is alleged she advised him to be interviewed by Emily Maitlis, and “clashed with other aides” over the decision.
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However, the now infamous Prince Andrew interview backfired and was labelled a “car crash”.
Following the interview, The Sun exclusively revealed that Thirsk was told she would have to “step down” from her role as the Prince’s private secretary.
The decision reportedly came following a conversation Andrew had with the late Queen.
A friend of the Duke revealed at the time: “It’s been a very grim 24 hours for Andrew.
“But it got even worse yesterday because he had to break the news to Amanda that the Queen will not continue to fund her role as private secretary.
“There is a genuine fury because she was the driving force behind the Newsnight interview and the person that arranged for it to be filmed at Buckingham Palace.”
Amanda also quit her role as chief executive of Pitch@Palace, Prince Andrew’s flagship business venture.
In 2020, it was reported by The Sun that Amanda was set to “receive a payout” after she agreed to quit her role.
Where is Amanda Thirsk now?
As of 2024, Amanda is working in a senior business development role at JD.com.
According to Sky News, she has been working with the company, one of China’s biggest e-commerce groups, since she left her job with Prince Andrew.
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Amanda’s role in the Newsnight interview is also being depicted in new Netflix film, Scoop.
In the movie she is played by legendary TV actress Keeley Hawes.
Get the scoop on Netflix's Scoop
THE Netflix film brings to life the real events of the 2019 Prince Andrew Newsnight interview.
Scoop will drop on Netflix on April 5, 2024, at 8am.
The film synopsis says: “Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatisation gives an insider account of how the women of Newsnight secured Prince Andrew’s infamous interview.”
Along with Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew the cast includes: