Prince Andrew is set to celebrate his 65th birthday today with just his nearest and dearest after a tough few months for the royal.
The Duke of York, 64, has been at the receiving end of various criticisms over the last few months as he has become embroiled in new scandals, including one regarding his relationship with Chinese businessman Yang Tengbo, who was accused of being a Chinese spy last year.
While the Chinese national denied the claim and Andrew’s office confirmed the duke ceased all contact with the businessman since suspicions were first raised, the scandal at the end of last year was almost the final straw when it came to the duke’s popularity, and it is thought to have even seen him withdraw from spending Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham.
The duke then faced further downfall just last month, when it emerged that he had been emailing with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2011, months after the duke claimed he had cut contact with him. In one email from 2011, Andrew wrote: “Keep in close contact and we’ll play some more soon.”
After these recent revelations, the duke has retreated further away from the public eye and has been seen just very few times this year outside of his Royal Lodge home in Windsor. This means that his birthday is likely to be a small affair, with just very close family and friends present.
Speaking about the duke’s birthday, author Andrew Lownie, who has spent the past few years researching a book on the King’s brother and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, told The Sun: “I imagine there will be a small gathering at Royal Lodge.
“I don’t think the Chinese ambassador (Yang Tengbo) will be there this time.”
While Andrew has not been seen with many members of the Royal Family lately, it is believed he still shares a close bond with his ex wife Sarah, who still lives with the prince, and his daughters Princess Beatrice, 36, and Princess Eugenie, 34.
The family are likely to mark Andrew’s birthday in some way together.
Although they have refrained from talking about scandals Andrew has found himself involved in, Sarah did let slip that things were currently difficult for the duke.
In an interview with The Sunday Times last month, Sarah spoke about how she had to look after her father when he was ill.
The duchess then said: “I was left to look after a sad man, which is sort of what I’m doing now.”
Despite not naming Andrew, the comment was believed to have been a reference to her ex-husband.
