Queen cancels Prince Andrew's 60th birthday party

The Queen has cancelled a birthday party she was going to throw for Prince Andrew and instead will hold a small family dinner. 

This is the latest blow to the beleaguered royal, who recently gave up his charitable commitments and was removed from royal duties in the wake of his association with the paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.  

The Sunday Times reported the Queen has made the decision after growing increasingly frustrated the scandal is overshadowing the work the rest of the royal family is doing. 

Last week the Duke of York was interviewed on the British television programme Newsnight where he admitted to "letting the side down." 

The interview was widely criticised for being a train wreck for the duke. 

The Sunday Times reports the Queen did not approve the interview. 

Since the interview over 20 charities have cut their ties with him, and more are expected to follow. 

Prince Charles was the driving force behind the Duke of York's decision to stand aside from his royal duties. 

UK press reported he was the one convinced the Queen it had to happen.

In a statement on Thursday the Duke of York admitted his association with a convicted sex offender was a "major disruption" to the work of the royal family and he would step down "for the foreseeable future".

Jeffrey Epstein died in prison in August 2019. He was arrested for sex trafficking minors and faced accusations of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls.

He would have served up to 45 years in prison if convicted, but died before he reached trial.