Queen Elizabeth Cancels Prince Andrew’s 60th Birthday Party as He Tries ‘to Keep a Low Profile’

Bad timing. Queen Elizabeth decided to cancel Prince Andrew‘s birthday party, In Touch can confirm. Her Highness was planning to host a bash to honor her son on his 60th birthday while also celebrating his charities in February 2020. But insiders said she had second thoughts amid the backlash the royal family is currently facing in the wake of his BBC interview.

“The Queen has canceled Andrew’s birthday party. She doesn’t think it’ll be a good look if he’s seen celebrating his 60th with friends, having a good time while there’s so much drama going on,” a source exclusively told In Touch. “Instead they’ll be having a small, private family dinner.”

But it seems like the Duke of York, 59, isn’t too upset with the cancelation of his birthday festivities. “Also, Andrew isn’t really in the mood to have a big party,” the insider continued. “He’s trying to keep a low profile and is hoping the scandal will blow over. But there’s no sign of that happening right now.”

On November 16, the BBC aired Prince Andrew’s interview with Emily Maitlis, titled “Andrew & the Epstein Scandal,” where the royal opened up about his friendship with the late, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. During the special, he denied allegations about his involvement in Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking ring.

But in the days after Prince Andrew’s tell-all, royal watchers expressed their outrage with the way he conducted himself. On November 20, he officially announced that he would be stepping down from his royal duties.

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“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organizations and charities that I am proud to support,” Prince Andrew wrote in a statement. “Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”

Even though Queen Elizabeth agreed with Prince Andrew’s decision to remove himself from the public eye in the midst of the scandal, insiders previously told In Touch she is still supportive.

“The Queen is standing by Andrew and believes her son but is mortified by the whole ordeal,” a source exclusively revealed. “The Palace has the best crisis managers and aides that money can buy, but Andrew’s going to struggle to get his reputation back on track after this.”