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Prince Andrew: Private secretary Amanda Thirsk moves to new role Prince Andrew: Private secretary Amanda Thirsk moves to new role
(32 minutes later)
The woman who organised the Duke of York's interview with the BBC is no longer his private secretary after the royal withdrew from public duties.The woman who organised the Duke of York's interview with the BBC is no longer his private secretary after the royal withdrew from public duties.
Amanda Thirsk, who has worked for the duke since 2012, will become chief executive of his business mentoring scheme, Pitch@Palace.Amanda Thirsk, who has worked for the duke since 2012, will become chief executive of his business mentoring scheme, Pitch@Palace.
The move comes as further organisations announced their association with the prince had ended.The move comes as further organisations announced their association with the prince had ended.
Buckingham Palace said it did not comment on those in the duke's team.Buckingham Palace said it did not comment on those in the duke's team.
BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the decision to move Ms Thirsk into her new role was part of a "downscaling" of the duke's office.BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the decision to move Ms Thirsk into her new role was part of a "downscaling" of the duke's office.
It is unclear what the duke's role at Pitch@Palace will be moving forwards.It is unclear what the duke's role at Pitch@Palace will be moving forwards.
On Wednesday, Prince Andrew explained he had decided to step down from his royal duties for the "foreseeable future".On Wednesday, Prince Andrew explained he had decided to step down from his royal duties for the "foreseeable future".
It came after a growing backlash following a BBC Newsnight interview about the duke's friendship with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.It came after a growing backlash following a BBC Newsnight interview about the duke's friendship with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
One of Epstein's accusers, Virginia Giuffre, has claimed she was forced to have sex with the duke three times. Prince Andrew has "categorically" denied having any sexual contact with her.One of Epstein's accusers, Virginia Giuffre, has claimed she was forced to have sex with the duke three times. Prince Andrew has "categorically" denied having any sexual contact with her.
Ms Giuffre will reveal further details about her time with Epstein in her first UK interview with BBC Panorama on Monday 2 December.Ms Giuffre will reveal further details about her time with Epstein in her first UK interview with BBC Panorama on Monday 2 December.
Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, who has been credited with securing the interview for the BBC, said Ms Thirsk was the person she was "mostly dealing with" during the negotiation process.Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, who has been credited with securing the interview for the BBC, said Ms Thirsk was the person she was "mostly dealing with" during the negotiation process.
She told GQ magazine she was "extremely charming, well-informed, thorough and brilliant".She told GQ magazine she was "extremely charming, well-informed, thorough and brilliant".
According to Ms Thirsk's LinkedIn page, she has been a director of Pitch@Palace, which provides start-up firms with advice and contacts but no funding, since 2014.According to Ms Thirsk's LinkedIn page, she has been a director of Pitch@Palace, which provides start-up firms with advice and contacts but no funding, since 2014.
BBC News has approached Pitch@Palace for comment about her new role.BBC News has approached Pitch@Palace for comment about her new role.
The BBC understands there are no plans to recruit a new private secretary for Prince Andrew.The BBC understands there are no plans to recruit a new private secretary for Prince Andrew.
The duke was photographed horse riding with the Queen in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Friday.The duke was photographed horse riding with the Queen in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Friday.
The decision to step back from royal duties came amid growing pressure from his critics.The decision to step back from royal duties came amid growing pressure from his critics.
Businesses, charities and other institutions have been cutting their ties with the prince in the wake of his announcement and the BBC interview.Businesses, charities and other institutions have been cutting their ties with the prince in the wake of his announcement and the BBC interview.
On Friday, the English National Ballet, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London Metropolitan University all announced the prince would no longer be their patron, with immediate effect.On Friday, the English National Ballet, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London Metropolitan University all announced the prince would no longer be their patron, with immediate effect.
And Barclays - which had already distanced itself from the prince - said it will "regretfully, no longer be participating" in Pitch@Palace.
Lawyers representing Epstein's accusers have also urged the prince to speak to US authorities about his former friendship with Epstein.Lawyers representing Epstein's accusers have also urged the prince to speak to US authorities about his former friendship with Epstein.
In his statement announcing that he would be stepping back from royal duties, the prince said he was "willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required".In his statement announcing that he would be stepping back from royal duties, the prince said he was "willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required".