Prince Andrew birthday: Key birthday honour for Duke of York cancelled
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Given the current lockdown rules in place across the UK, it is unlikely the prince will be doing anything adventurous for his birthday. While no public celebrations take place for the Queen’s third son since his removal from royal duties, the prince has had one royal honour cancelled this year.
Prince Andrew was forced to step back from royal duties in 2019 following his car crash interview regarding his association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The prince, who is currently 9th in line to the throne, would usually have his birthday marked by a special ringing of the bell’s at Westminster Abbey.
There was outcry earlier this year when the Abbey announced it would be pressing forward with the plan despite the Prince’s associations.
The abbey announced it would mark his birthday on February 19 by ringing the bells at 1pm, as is traditional with senior members of the Royal Family.
However, the announcement was made when the UK was in a period of relative respite from the virus during the summer.
Due to current lockdown restrictions, the bell-ringing event has now been cancelled.
The website reads: “The Abbey bells can usually be heard before services and in celebration of church festivals and royal occasions.
“Following the latest guidelines from the Church of England and the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, ringing at the Abbey by our volunteer bell ringers is currently suspended during the coronavirus outbreak.”
There are currently 12 royals whose birthdays are currently marked with bells at Westminster Abbey.
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, their four children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – all receive the honour, as does Charles’ wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – complete the list.
Prince Andrew has scarcely been seen in public since it was announced he would step down from his royal roles.
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In 2019 he released a statement which read: “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 organisations and charities that I am proud to support.
“Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”
There was furious backlash from the public, with many noting his apparent lack of sympathy for the victims of Mr Epstein and that he did not regret his association with the disgraced financier, citing “useful” opportunities that came from their acquaintance.
Mr Epstein died in prison in the summer of 2019.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied he had any knowledge of Mr Epstein’s actions and any accusations levelled against him.
He recently became a grandfather for the first time following the birth of his daughter Princess Eugenie’s first child.