Despite Prince Andrew stepping away from his responsibilities following his interview about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, Queen Elizabeth is supporting him through this time. However, she is not too thrilled about how everything played out. “The Queen is standing by Andrew and believes her son but is mortified by the whole ordeal,” a source told In Touch exclusively. “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.”

In the meantime, the 59-year-old royal will be retreating from the spotlight. “He’s been advised to keep a low profile,” the insider added. “Everyone is hoping that the scandal will blow over, but it’s wishful thinking.”

Queen Elizabeth is Standing By Son Prince Andrew's Side Amid Jeffery Epstein Scandal
Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

On November 20, Prince Andrew revealed he would be taking a break from work. “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,” the Duke of York said 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.”

Prince Andrew continued to clear the air about his relationship with the late financial guru — who pleaded guilty to two lesser counts of unlawful sex acts with a minor and went to jail before committing suicide in August 2019. “I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein,” the statement read. “His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathize with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”

Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein in December 2010
The Sun/News Licensing/MEGA

Just a couple of days earlier, Prince Andrew sat down with Emily Maitlis for a tell-all interview called “Andrew & the Epstein Scandal,” which aired on November 16. Virginia Roberts alleged that Epstein “made her” have sex with Andrew “several times,” but Prince Andrew denied Roberts’ allegations. “I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever,” he said.

Unfortunately, it seems like Prince Andrew “made everything worse” by talking about his dirty laundry on television, In Touch previously reported. “What could he have been thinking? He should have known no good would come of this,” a second royal insider said.

Now, Prince Andrew will have to pick up the pieces slowly but surely. “He’s lucky he’s the queen’s favorite,” the source added. “How much the queen knows — or believes to be true ­— is a mystery. I’m sure she watched the interview and knows the gravity of the accusations. But the queen is going to believe what she wants to believe, as many mothers do.”