A photographer from a British media outlet claims to have a "jaw-dropping" photo of Prince Andrew that could shatter the Royal family if it was ever made public.
The alleged photograph was taken during Andrew's disastrous interview with the BBC at Buckingham Palace in 2019, where he was questioned about his association with paedophile and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Photographer Mark Harrison who was at the BBC interview and took the picture said it could cause serious embarrassment if the photo were ever made public.
"[The photo] has been seen by only a few people, but it would be a big deal for the Royal family," award-winning portrait photographer Harrison told the Daily Mail. "There is a lot more from that day that is not yet in the public domain."
It's understood the Prince insisted the picture never become public, but Harrison said it would "embarrass Prince Andrew and the Royal family" if it were ever released.
A source close to the interview who had seen the original image said if the photo became public, "it will be so shocking, especially if it is decontextualised".
"Our jaws dropped to the floor when we saw it. It would cause Andrew much embarrassment - and imagine how high the bar has to be to cause him embarrassment after everything that has happened," the source said.
The explosive interview where Andrew talked about his friendship with Epstein made headlines around the world and is being turned into a film.
The movie, called Scoop, will dramatise how the BBC secured the interview, as well as the filming of it.
The behind-the-scenes negotiations will make "very thrilling drama", its writer Peter Moffat told film site Deadline.
The source said there is always a chance the picture becomes public "if the price is right" and hinted it could feature in the upcoming film.
"It's the kind of thing which would make the public drop their cornflakes. It is definitely not what Andrew would want out there and apparently, he insisted that it remained secret. It was not one of the shots the BBC released," the source said.
"There is, of course, a chance that it will at some point come out for all to see, perhaps if the price is right. Of course, the movie about the interview is happening, so that is a possibility."
Days after the interview, Andrew announced he was stepping back from Royal duties.
"It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein have become a major disruption to my family's work and the valuable work going on in many organizations and charities that I am proud to support," he said in the statement.
"Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has granted me permission."
In February, Andrew settled a sexual assault case with Virginia Roberts in the US who accused the Duke of York of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager.
