ROYAL REGRET
Prince Andrew’s ‘regret’ as he finally shows remorse after backlash for ‘lack of sympathy’ in interview
PRINCE Andrew voiced his "regret" to pals at not showing sympathy for Jeffrey Epstein's victims in his trainwreck TV interview.
The Duke of York insisted he "totally condemned" the exploitation of vulnerable young women after being slammed for not speaking out against shamed tycoon Epstein's behaviour.
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He told friends: "I regret that I didn’t make it clear in the interview that I have great sympathy for anyone who was abused by Jeffrey Epstein.
"When I said I was shocked I thought that was implicit. In 2010 none of us had any idea of the extent of his wrongdoing."
And a source told : "Of course, the duke deeply regrets his friendship with Epstein.
"As a father, he totally condemns any exploitation of vulnerable young women.
"He supports the victims and says that it is right that they now have the opportunity to tell their stories and seek justice."
The Duke, 59, was believed to have been unaware of the worldwide outrage sparked by his interview with Emily Maitlis, shown on BBC2 on Saturday night.
The Sun also revealed how he told his mother the Queen that the interview went well - claiming he had put to bed any criticism over his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Viewers were especially angry over his lack of sympathy for the victims of Epstein, his former friend who died in August awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
He was also ridiculed over his repeated denials of any sexual relationship with then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts.
She has since slammed his denials “appalling".
The royal’s pal said his aides do not “have the heart” to tell him how badly it has gone down.
'HAPPIER THAN EVER'
They went on: “He’s told his friends and advisers he is delighted because he thought he acquitted himself well.
“He’s cock-a-hoop. He seriously believes he’s pulled off a master triumph. It’s astonishing.
“No one has the heart to tell him that he’s delusional — and this is the overall problem. He’s surrounded by people who tell him what he wants to hear.
“Yesterday he was looking happier than he has been for months, totally unaware his interview had caused a firestorm of criticism.”
It is unknown if the Queen watched the programme, though she is said to have been the only member of the Royal Family to have been told of it beforehand.
Buckingham Palace last night said they will not comment on royals’ private time or confirm the Queen went to church with her son.
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Critics claimed Prince Andrew's interview raised more questions than answers when it came to his relationship with Epstein.
But a source said a voluntary sit-down with the FBI would be unlikely.
A source said: “He’s not going to be travelling to America any time soon. The Palace just aren’t going to put him in that position.”
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Piers Morgan goes into huge rant at Prince Andrew and says 'stop treating us like complete idiots'
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