Amanda Thirsk is a former British royal household official who served as Prince Andrew’s Private Secretary from 2012 to 2020, becoming internationally known for her pivotal role in arranging the Duke of York’s disastrous November 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Born in 1966, the 58-year-old Cambridge-educated law graduate joined the royal household in 2004 and became one of Prince Andrew’s most trusted advisers, also serving as director of his Pitch@Palace entrepreneurship initiative before losing both positions following the interview’s catastrophic fallout that led to Andrew stepping down from royal duties in 2020.
This comprehensive guide explores everything about Amanda Thirsk, from her education at Cambridge University and City career before joining the royal household, her 16-year service across multiple royal offices culminating as Prince Andrew’s right-hand woman, her instrumental role arranging and supporting the Newsnight interview that backfired spectacularly, her direction of the successful Pitch@Palace program that created thousands of jobs, her dismissal and five-figure settlement with Buckingham Palace, her subsequent senior business development role at Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, personal life as a mother of three, and her portrayal in the 2024 Netflix film Scoop and Amazon Prime’s A Very Royal Scandal. Whether researching her royal career, the Newsnight interview controversy, Pitch@Palace achievements, or current business activities, this article provides authoritative insights into one of the most consequential figures in recent royal history.
Early Life and Education
Amanda Thirsk was born in 1966 in the United Kingdom and pursued her higher education at the prestigious University of Cambridge from 1984 to 1987, where she studied law. Her legal education at one of the world’s leading universities equipped her with analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to handle complex situations that would prove invaluable throughout her career. Cambridge graduates are renowned for their intellectual rigor and professional capabilities across multiple sectors.
Her time at Cambridge provided her with both academic credentials and networking opportunities that opened doors to prestigious career paths. The legal training she received emphasized critical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding of regulatory frameworks that govern institutions. These skills would later serve her well when navigating the complex protocols and hierarchies of the British royal household.
Following her graduation from Cambridge, Thirsk embarked on a career in the City of London’s financial sector before eventually transitioning to public service within the royal household. Her background in both law and business provided a unique combination of skills that made her particularly valuable for managing the Duke of York’s official duties and business-focused initiatives like Pitch@Palace.
Career Before Royal Service
After completing her law degree at Cambridge, Amanda Thirsk built a successful career in London’s financial sector during the late 1980s and 1990s. As a Cambridge graduate, she had access to prestigious positions within the City of London, though specific details about which financial institutions employed her remain largely private. Her experience in the business world provided her with commercial acumen and understanding of corporate environments.
Her City career spanned approximately two decades before she transitioned to royal service in 2004. During this period, she developed skills in project management, stakeholder relations, and strategic planning that would prove essential for her later royal roles. The financial sector experience gave her insights into business operations, entrepreneurship, and investment networks that became particularly valuable when she later helped establish and manage Prince Andrew’s Pitch@Palace initiative.
The decision to leave the private sector for royal service represented a significant career change, trading potentially higher financial compensation for the prestige and unique responsibilities of working within Buckingham Palace. Her professional background made her stand out among royal household staff, many of whom came from traditional civil service or military backgrounds rather than commercial sectors.
Joining the Royal Household
Amanda Thirsk joined the British royal household in 2004 at approximately age 38, beginning what would become a 16-year career serving the monarchy. Her initial role was within the broader royal household structure before she specialized in supporting Prince Andrew’s office. The royal household employs hundreds of staff across various departments, from ceremonial roles to administrative positions, and Thirsk entered this unique professional environment.
During her early years in royal service from 2004 to 2012, Thirsk worked across different capacities within the household, building relationships and understanding the protocols that govern royal activities. She demonstrated competence, discretion, and loyalty—qualities highly valued within palace circles. Her legal training and business experience distinguished her from colleagues with more traditional backgrounds, making her particularly suited for supporting Prince Andrew’s business-focused initiatives.
Her progression through the royal household reflected growing trust from senior royals and management. The eight years before becoming Prince Andrew’s Private Secretary allowed her to master the intricacies of royal protocol, media relations, diary management, and the delicate balance between public duties and private interests. This preparation positioned her for the senior role she would assume in 2012.
Appointment as Prince Andrew’s Private Secretary
In 2012, Amanda Thirsk was promoted to the position of Private Secretary to Prince Andrew, Duke of York, becoming one of his most senior staff members and trusted advisers. The Private Secretary role is crucial within royal households, serving as the principal aide who manages the royal’s schedule, correspondence, official engagements, and strategic communications. Thirsk held this position for seven years until January 2020.
As Private Secretary, Thirsk became Prince Andrew’s right-hand woman, working closely with him daily to coordinate his public duties, military affiliations, charity patronages, and business ventures. She managed relationships with government departments, military organizations, and corporate partners while maintaining the delicate protocols required when representing the Queen’s second son. Her legal and business background proved particularly valuable for supporting Andrew’s commercial initiatives.
Colleagues and observers consistently described Thirsk as highly professional, deeply loyal to Prince Andrew, and protective of his interests. She was known for her meticulous attention to detail and ability to manage complex logistical arrangements. Sam McAlister, the BBC producer who negotiated the Newsnight interview, later wrote that Thirsk “had been the epitome of professional” throughout their dealings, despite the disastrous outcome.
Role in Pitch@Palace Initiative
Amanda Thirsk served as Director of Pitch@Palace from January 2014 to March 2020, playing a crucial role in establishing and growing what became Prince Andrew’s signature business initiative. Pitch@Palace was created in 2013-2014 following a breakfast meeting chaired by Thirsk with entrepreneur Rohan Silva, where they discussed developing a UK entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program connected start-up companies with mentors, investors, and business leaders through events hosted at royal palaces.
Under Thirsk’s directorship, Pitch@Palace achieved remarkable success, creating approximately 6,000 jobs and generating over £1 billion in economic investment and activity according to program statistics. The initiative maintained an impressive 97% survival rate for participating companies, far exceeding typical start-up success rates. Entrepreneurs praised the program for providing unparalleled access to investors, corporate partners, and business networks through the royal connection.
Thirsk managed the operational aspects of Pitch@Palace while Prince Andrew served as the public face and convener, using his royal status to attract high-level participants. She coordinated events at St James’s Palace and other royal venues, managed relationships with corporate partners including Barclays Bank, and oversaw the program’s expansion from UK-focused to Pitch@Palace Global with international chapters. Her business development skills and organizational capabilities were essential to the initiative’s growth and impact.
The Fateful Newsnight Interview
Amanda Thirsk played a pivotal role in arranging Prince Andrew’s November 16, 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, which would become one of the most disastrous media appearances in royal history. BBC producer Sam McAlister spent months negotiating access to Prince Andrew, with Thirsk serving as the key palace gatekeeper. Both the 2024 Netflix film Scoop and Amazon Prime’s A Very Royal Scandal depict Thirsk as instrumental in convincing Andrew to participate.
According to McAlister’s account, Thirsk hoped the interview would provide Prince Andrew with an opportunity to deliver “a clear and unambiguous denial from the duke that he’d known anything about Jeffrey Epstein’s activities.” Thirsk believed that a heavyweight interviewer like Emily Maitlis would lend credibility to Andrew’s denials and help restore his reputation after years of media scrutiny regarding his friendship with convicted sex offender Epstein. She apparently advocated for the interview alongside Princess Beatrice.
The decision to proceed required multiple meetings between McAlister, Maitlis, Thirsk, and Prince Andrew. McAlister later recounted that at their final meeting before filming, “the decision was for Prince Andrew, but it was clear that he was already thinking about who he would choose to speak to, rather than whether he would choose to speak at all, and we already thought that Amanda seemed keen for him to speak with a heavyweight interviewer.” Thirsk’s support proved decisive in securing Andrew’s agreement.
The Interview Aftermath
Following the November 16, 2019 broadcast, the Newsnight interview immediately sparked widespread criticism and mockery rather than the rehabilitation Thirsk had hoped to achieve. Prince Andrew’s explanations—including claims he couldn’t sweat due to an adrenaline overdose in the Falklands War and that he was at Pizza Express in Woking during the alleged encounter with Virginia Giuffre—were widely ridiculed. The interview generated international headlines and intensified scrutiny of Andrew’s judgment.
Remarkably, immediately after filming, both Prince Andrew and Amanda Thirsk believed the interview had gone well according to BBC staff present. Emily Maitlis recalled that the BBC team left Buckingham Palace uncertain how to react: “We crammed into a taxi and we were all eyeballing each other. We didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.” The disconnect between palace perceptions and public reaction highlighted how isolated Andrew’s inner circle had become.
Within days, the catastrophic fallout became undeniable as sponsors abandoned Pitch@Palace, media criticism intensified, and pressure mounted for Andrew to step back from royal duties. On November 20, 2019, just four days after the broadcast, Prince Andrew announced he would step down from public duties for the foreseeable future. The decision was reportedly made in consultation with the Queen and senior royals including Prince Charles and Prince William.
Dismissal and Settlement
In January 2020, Amanda Thirsk lost her position as Prince Andrew’s Private Secretary following his withdrawal from royal duties and closure of his Buckingham Palace office. ITV reported that Prince Andrew was “forced to sack” his most senior staff member, though the decision was framed as organizational restructuring rather than disciplinary action. The dismissal occurred during the same period when senior royals were negotiating Prince Harry and Meghan’s departure as working royals.
Thirsk negotiated a financial settlement with Buckingham Palace reported to be worth tens of thousands of pounds, reflecting her 16 years of service within the royal household. Sky News indicated the settlement was a five-figure sum, while other sources suggested it was a substantial amount given her lengthy tenure. The settlement allowed both parties to part ways without public acrimony, maintaining the discretion typically associated with royal household employment matters.
Sam McAlister expressed sympathy for Thirsk in her book, writing: “As for Amanda Thirsk, after some prevarication, she lost her job. I really felt for her. In all of our dealings, she had been the epitome of professional.” McAlister’s comments highlighted that Thirsk had acted in what she believed were Prince Andrew’s best interests, making her a casualty of the misjudgment rather than its architect, though she bore responsibility for supporting the decision.
Departure from Pitch@Palace
In April 2020, several months after losing her role as Private Secretary, Amanda Thirsk resigned from her position as Director of Pitch@Palace to take up an undisclosed role in the private sector. Her departure came as the initiative attempted to relaunch under the new name “Pitch Connect” to distance itself from Prince Andrew and the royal household following the Newsnight controversy and his stepping down from royal duties.
Major corporate sponsors had withdrawn from Pitch@Palace following the interview fallout, including Barclays Bank and other high-profile partners, making the program’s continuation uncertain. Without royal backing and corporate support, the initiative faced an existential crisis. Thirsk’s resignation was announced by Sky News as part of restructuring ahead of the relaunch, with plans to recruit a new chief executive to lead the rebranded organization.
The end of Thirsk’s involvement with Pitch@Palace closed a significant chapter in her career, as she had been instrumental in building the program from its 2013-2014 inception into an internationally recognized entrepreneurship platform. Entrepreneurs who had benefited from the program praised her work, with many expressing disappointment that the initiative’s success had been overshadowed by the Newsnight controversy and calling for it to continue under different royal patronage.
Current Role at JD.com
Following her departure from royal service, Amanda Thirsk secured a senior business development role at JD.com, one of China’s largest e-commerce and retail companies. Sky News first reported in February 2020 that Thirsk had landed on her feet in this position, demonstrating her ability to leverage her business development experience despite the Newsnight controversy. Her LinkedIn profile lists her as Managing Director, Head of International Business Development at JD.com.
In this role, Thirsk has been involved in JD.com’s international expansion strategies and major business transactions. In 2024, she was reported to be playing a key role in helping JD.com evaluate a possible takeover bid for Currys, the UK high-street electrical goods chain. Her involvement in such high-profile strategic activities indicates she holds a position of significant responsibility within the Chinese retail giant’s international operations.
More recently, in December 2024, reports emerged that Thirsk has been intimately involved in setting up Prince Andrew’s money-making ventures in China, according to The Telegraph. This suggests she has maintained some connection to the Duke of York’s business interests despite leaving her official palace role, now facilitating his commercial activities in the Chinese market through her position at JD.com. The nature and propriety of these connections have raised questions given Andrew’s controversial position.
Personal Life and Family
Amanda Thirsk is a mother of three children, though she has maintained strict privacy regarding her personal life throughout her public career. Details about her children’s names, ages, and education remain undisclosed, reflecting both Thirsk’s preference for privacy and the discretion expected of royal household staff even after leaving palace employment. Her ability to balance demanding professional responsibilities with raising three children demonstrates exceptional organizational skills.
Information about Thirsk’s marital status or partner remains largely private, with no public records or media reports providing details. Her social media presence is minimal, with her LinkedIn profile focused entirely on professional credentials and employment history rather than personal information. This discretion stands in contrast to many contemporary public figures who share family details on social platforms.
Thirsk’s working-class background and rise to senior positions in both the financial sector and royal household reflect personal ambition and professional excellence. Colleagues have described her as dedicated, hardworking, and fiercely loyal to those she serves. Her life outside royal service appears focused on her corporate career at JD.com and her family, maintaining a low public profile despite her association with one of the most notorious interviews in recent British history.
Portrayal in Scoop Netflix Film
Amanda Thirsk features prominently in the 2024 Netflix film Scoop, portrayed by acclaimed British actress Keeley Hawes. The film, released on April 5, 2024, dramatizes the behind-the-scenes story of how BBC producer Sam McAlister secured the Prince Andrew Newsnight interview, based on McAlister’s book of the same name. The narrative is told through three perspectives: McAlister, Emily Maitlis, and Thirsk.
Keeley Hawes described preparing for the role by researching Thirsk’s background and speaking with people who knew her. In the film, Thirsk is depicted as Prince Andrew’s loyal aide who genuinely believes the interview will benefit him, carefully managing the negotiation process with the BBC team. Hawes told Radio Times magazine that the script “read like a thriller” and that playing Thirsk gave viewers a chance to see “behind the curtains” of royal decision-making.
The film shows Thirsk as professional, intelligent, and protective of Prince Andrew, though ultimately misguided in her belief that the interview would improve his public standing. Gillian Anderson stars as Emily Maitlis, Billie Piper as Sam McAlister, and Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew. The cast praised the script for capturing the tension and high stakes surrounding the interview, with Thirsk’s character serving as a crucial pivot point in the narrative about how the catastrophic interview came to happen.
Portrayal in A Very Royal Scandal
Amanda Thirsk is also featured in Amazon Prime Video’s A Very Royal Scandal, released in September 2024 as the second major dramatization of the Newsnight interview within six months. Actress Joanna Scanlan, known for her role in The Thick of It, portrays Thirsk in this three-part series. Unlike Netflix’s Scoop, which was based on Sam McAlister’s book, A Very Royal Scandal had Emily Maitlis as an executive producer, offering her perspective on events.
The Amazon series depicts Thirsk alongside Princess Beatrice as one of the key figures encouraging Prince Andrew to participate in the interview. Scanlan’s portrayal emphasizes Thirsk’s professional competence and her belief that addressing the Epstein allegations directly would help clear Andrew’s name. The series shows her managing the logistics and negotiations with the BBC while maintaining her loyalty to the Duke of York.
Emily Maitlis revealed in interviews that the turning point for both Andrew and Thirsk came not immediately after filming but when the public reaction became clear. The series captures this dynamic, showing how palace insiders initially thought the interview had succeeded in its objectives before the devastating media response became apparent. Both dramatizations have brought renewed attention to Thirsk’s role in one of the most significant royal controversies of recent decades.
Professional Reputation and Skills
Throughout her career, Amanda Thirsk has been consistently described as highly professional, meticulous, and effective in her roles despite the Newsnight controversy. Her Cambridge legal education provided her with analytical skills and attention to detail, while her City career developed her business acumen and project management capabilities. These combined qualifications made her particularly valuable in supporting Prince Andrew’s business-focused activities like Pitch@Palace.
Colleagues and business partners praised her organizational skills and ability to manage complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. The success of Pitch@Palace in creating 6,000 jobs and generating £1 billion in economic activity reflected her effective management and networking capabilities. Entrepreneurs who participated in the program highlighted her accessibility, responsiveness, and commitment to supporting start-up businesses through the initiative.
Even critics of the Newsnight decision acknowledged Thirsk’s professional competence, with Sam McAlister describing her as “the epitome of professional” in all their interactions. Her ability to secure a senior role at a major international company like JD.com after leaving royal service demonstrates that her professional reputation survived the controversy. Her skills in business development, stakeholder management, and strategic planning remain valuable in the corporate sector.
The Newsnight Legacy
The November 2019 Newsnight interview remains the defining moment of Amanda Thirsk’s public profile, forever linking her to one of the most catastrophic media appearances in royal history. The interview led directly to Prince Andrew stepping down from royal duties, the collapse of Pitch@Palace’s corporate support, and ultimately to Virginia Giuffre’s civil lawsuit against Andrew, which he settled for a reported £12 million in 2022 without admitting liability.
The interview has been analyzed extensively by media experts, crisis communications specialists, and royal commentators as a case study in how not to handle reputation management. Thirsk’s role in facilitating the interview despite warnings from some palace officials has been scrutinized, though defenders argue she genuinely believed it would benefit Andrew and that the ultimate responsibility lay with the Duke himself who made the final decision to proceed.
The dual dramatizations in 2024—Netflix’s Scoop and Amazon’s A Very Royal Scandal—ensured that Thirsk’s involvement would be reassessed five years after the events. Both films portrayed her sympathetically as a loyal professional who made a catastrophic miscalculation rather than as malicious or incompetent. The enduring fascination with the interview ensures Thirsk’s role will continue to be discussed in media studies and crisis communications courses for years to come.
Comparison to Other Royal Household Officials
Amanda Thirsk’s career trajectory within the royal household differs significantly from traditional royal private secretaries who typically come from military, diplomatic, or civil service backgrounds. Her legal and City career provided commercial expertise that was valuable for supporting Prince Andrew’s business initiatives but may have left her less experienced in traditional media relations and crisis management compared to career palace communications staff.
Unlike long-serving royal officials like the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Private Secretary Sir Edward Young or King Charles’s former Private Secretary Sir Clive Alderton, who navigated multiple crises while maintaining their positions, Thirsk’s association with the Newsnight disaster ended her royal career. However, her subsequent success at JD.com demonstrates resilience and transferable skills that some career palace officials might lack when transitioning to private sector roles.
Her relatively brief time in the Private Secretary role—seven years compared to decades-long tenures of some senior palace officials—meant she had less experience managing major controversies when the Epstein allegations intensified. More seasoned palace communications teams might have more successfully discouraged the interview or better prepared Prince Andrew for the media scrutiny that followed, though Andrew’s own personality and judgment played the determining role.
Impact on Royal Household Operations
The Newsnight controversy and Amanda Thirsk’s role in facilitating it prompted discussions within royal households about decision-making processes, media strategy, and the relationship between private secretaries and their principals. The disaster highlighted risks when royal offices operate too independently from central Buckingham Palace communications teams that coordinate media relations for the entire royal family.
Following the incident, royal households reportedly strengthened coordination with the central palace press office for major media appearances and controversial subjects. The collapse of Prince Andrew’s office and staff following his withdrawal from royal duties served as a cautionary example of how quickly royal careers can end when judgment fails. Younger royals’ offices reportedly learned lessons about media strategy and crisis communications.
The incident also raised questions about the extent to which loyal staff should challenge their principals’ decisions. Thirsk’s apparent support for the interview despite its risks reflected strong loyalty to Prince Andrew, but effective advisers must sometimes deliver unwelcome advice. The balance between loyalty and independent judgment remains a central tension in royal household operations, with Thirsk’s experience serving as a reminder of the consequences when that balance fails.
Entrepreneurship Community Perspective
The entrepreneurship community that benefited from Pitch@Palace largely viewed Amanda Thirsk positively, separating her work on the business initiative from the Newsnight controversy. Entrepreneurs praised her dedication to supporting start-ups, her accessibility despite her senior palace role, and her genuine commitment to creating opportunities for British businesses. Many expressed disappointment that the initiative’s success was overshadowed by the scandal.
Business leaders who participated in Pitch@Palace consistently highlighted that the program’s achievements—6,000 jobs created, £1 billion in economic activity, 97% company survival rate—reflected exceptional management and execution. They credited Thirsk’s organizational skills and business acumen for much of this success, noting that such results required more than just royal patronage. Her ability to build corporate partnerships and investor networks demonstrated real value beyond ceremonial functions.
Some entrepreneurs called for Pitch@Palace to continue under different royal patronage, suggesting that Princes William or Harry could take over the initiative to preserve Thirsk’s work. While the program struggled after losing corporate sponsors following the Newsnight interview, many participants felt the underlying concept remained valuable and that Thirsk’s vision of supporting entrepreneurship through royal convening power had proven effective before the controversy derailed it.
Media and Public Perception
Public perception of Amanda Thirsk has evolved from relative anonymity before the Newsnight interview to widespread recognition afterward, though she has never given public interviews about the controversy. Media coverage immediately after the interview often portrayed her as the adviser who misjudged how Andrew’s appearance would be received, though some reports noted she had acted in what she believed were his best interests.
The 2024 dramatizations significantly shaped public understanding of Thirsk’s role, with both Keeley Hawes and Joanna Scanlan portraying her sympathetically as a competent professional caught in an impossible situation. These portrayals generated more nuanced public discussion about advisers’ responsibilities, loyalty versus judgment, and the challenges of working for high-profile individuals with strong personalities. Many viewers expressed sympathy for Thirsk’s position.
Ongoing reports about her role facilitating Prince Andrew’s business ventures in China have generated more critical coverage, with questions about the appropriateness of her continued involvement with Andrew’s commercial interests given his controversial status. The Telegraph’s December 2024 reporting about her setting up his Chinese ventures reignited scrutiny of her judgment and relationship with the disgraced royal, complicating any rehabilitation of her public image.
Future Prospects and Legacy
At 58 years old in 2025, Amanda Thirsk appears established in her senior role at JD.com with responsibilities spanning international business development and major strategic transactions. Her involvement in projects like the potential Currys takeover suggests she holds significant influence within the company’s decision-making processes. Her corporate career may continue for another decade before retirement, potentially including further advancement to C-suite positions.
Her continued involvement with Prince Andrew’s business interests in China, if accurately reported, could complicate her corporate career depending on how those arrangements develop and whether they attract regulatory or diplomatic scrutiny. The intersection of Chinese business interests, a controversial British royal, and the individual who facilitated his most disastrous public appearance creates potential reputational risks that could affect her standing at JD.com.
Thirsk’s historical legacy will likely remain permanently linked to the Newsnight interview regardless of her subsequent achievements. She will be remembered as a central figure in one of the most significant royal scandals of the 21st century, even as her Pitch@Palace accomplishments and subsequent business career demonstrate broader capabilities. Whether she eventually shares her perspective on the events through memoirs or interviews remains to be seen, though her consistent discretion suggests she may maintain silence indefinitely.
Practical Information
Amanda Thirsk maintains a minimal public profile with limited accessibility for journalists, researchers, or members of the public. Her professional contact information is available through JD.com’s corporate channels for business-related matters, though personal approaches are unlikely to receive responses given her preference for privacy and discretion about her royal service and the Newsnight controversy.
For those researching Thirsk’s role in the Newsnight interview, the primary sources include Sam McAlister’s book “Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews” published in 2022, the full transcript of the interview available on the BBC website, and the two 2024 dramatizations Scoop on Netflix and A Very Royal Scandal on Amazon Prime Video. Emily Maitlis has discussed the interview in various podcast and documentary appearances.
Information about Pitch@Palace’s history and achievements is available through archived versions of the Pitch@Palace website and Pitch Connect, its successor organization. LinkedIn provides Thirsk’s professional employment history and educational credentials. Media archives from November 2019 through early 2020 contain extensive coverage of the interview aftermath, Thirsk’s dismissal, and settlement, though palace officials never provided on-the-record comments about her departure beyond basic confirmation of organizational changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amanda Thirsk?
Amanda Thirsk is a former royal household official who served as Prince Andrew’s Private Secretary from 2012 to 2020 after joining the royal household in 2004. The 58-year-old Cambridge-educated law graduate is best known for her role in arranging Prince Andrew’s disastrous November 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis that led to his withdrawal from royal duties.
What role did Amanda Thirsk play in the Prince Andrew Newsnight interview?
Amanda Thirsk was instrumental in arranging the November 16, 2019 Newsnight interview, serving as the key palace gatekeeper who negotiated with BBC producer Sam McAlister. She reportedly hoped the interview would allow Prince Andrew to clearly deny knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s activities, believing it would restore his reputation, and advocated for him to participate alongside Princess Beatrice.
What happened to Amanda Thirsk after the Newsnight interview?
Amanda Thirsk lost her position as Prince Andrew’s Private Secretary in January 2020 following his withdrawal from royal duties and received a five-figure financial settlement from Buckingham Palace. She also resigned as Director of Pitch@Palace in April 2020 when the initiative attempted to rebrand and distance itself from Prince Andrew after corporate sponsors withdrew.
Where does Amanda Thirsk work now?
Amanda Thirsk currently works as Managing Director, Head of International Business Development at JD.com, one of China’s largest e-commerce companies. She secured this senior business development role in 2020 after leaving royal service and has been involved in major strategic projects including JD.com’s evaluation of a potential takeover bid for UK retailer Currys.
What is Pitch@Palace and what was Amanda Thirsk’s role?
Pitch@Palace was Prince Andrew’s entrepreneurship initiative that connected start-up companies with mentors and investors through events at royal palaces. Amanda Thirsk served as Director from January 2014 to March 2020, helping the program create approximately 6,000 jobs and generate over £1 billion in economic activity with a 97% company survival rate.
What education does Amanda Thirsk have?
Amanda Thirsk studied law at the University of Cambridge from 1984 to 1987, receiving her legal education at one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Following graduation, she worked in London’s financial sector for approximately two decades before joining the royal household in 2004, bringing both legal and business expertise to her palace roles.
Is Amanda Thirsk married and does she have children?
Amanda Thirsk is a mother of three children, though she maintains strict privacy regarding her personal life with no public information available about her children’s names, ages, or her marital status. She has consistently avoided public discussion of her family throughout her royal service and subsequent corporate career.
How is Amanda Thirsk portrayed in Scoop and A Very Royal Scandal?
Amanda Thirsk is portrayed by Keeley Hawes in Netflix’s 2024 film Scoop and by Joanna Scanlan in Amazon Prime’s A Very Royal Scandal. Both dramatizations depict her sympathetically as a loyal, professional adviser who genuinely believed the Newsnight interview would benefit Prince Andrew, though she made a catastrophic miscalculation about how the public would receive his responses.
What was Amanda Thirsk’s settlement with Buckingham Palace?
Amanda Thirsk negotiated a financial settlement with Buckingham Palace in January 2020 worth tens of thousands of pounds, described as a five-figure sum reflecting her 16 years of service in the royal household. The settlement was reportedly negotiated during the same period when senior royals were handling Prince Harry and Meghan’s departure arrangements.
Did Prince Andrew and Amanda Thirsk think the Newsnight interview went well?
Yes, according to BBC staff present, both Prince Andrew and Amanda Thirsk believed immediately after filming that the interview had been successful. Emily Maitlis recalled that Andrew wanted to walk them through his great uncle Prince Albert’s entrepreneurial history and invited them back to the palace, behaviors inconsistent with thinking the interview had gone poorly.
What is Amanda Thirsk’s current connection to Prince Andrew?
Reports from December 2024 indicate that Amanda Thirsk has been intimately involved in setting up Prince Andrew’s money-making ventures in China through her position at JD.com. This suggests she maintains some connection to the Duke of York’s business interests despite leaving her official palace role, though the nature and extent of this relationship remains unclear.
How old is Amanda Thirsk?
Amanda Thirsk was born in 1966, making her 58 years old as of 2025. She joined the royal household at approximately age 38 in 2004, became Prince Andrew’s Private Secretary at age 46 in 2012, and lost that position at age 53-54 in January 2020 following the Newsnight interview fallout.
What was Amanda Thirsk’s career before joining the royal household?
Before joining the royal household in 2004, Amanda Thirsk had a successful career in London’s financial sector following her graduation from Cambridge University with a law degree in 1987. She spent approximately two decades in the City of London, developing business and commercial skills before transitioning to royal service at age 38.
How long did Amanda Thirsk work for Prince Andrew?
Amanda Thirsk worked in the royal household for 16 years total from 2004 to 2020, serving specifically as Prince Andrew’s Private Secretary for seven years from 2012 to January 2020. She also served as Director of Pitch@Palace from January 2014 to April 2020, making her one of Prince Andrew’s longest-serving and most senior staff members.
What skills and qualifications does Amanda Thirsk have?
Amanda Thirsk holds a law degree from Cambridge University and has extensive experience in business development, project management, strategic planning, and stakeholder relations from her City career and royal service. Her LinkedIn profile lists skills including management, marketing strategy, and customer relations, demonstrated through her success with Pitch@Palace and current senior role at JD.com.
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