Outrage after Queen posts baby photo of Prince Andrew to celebrate his 60th birthday: 'This post is tone deaf'
Prince Andrew has quietly ushered in his 60th birthday as he continues to face scrutiny over his association and friendship with the deceased and disgraced multi-millionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The Royal Family's official Instagram account wished Andrew a happy birthday and marked the occasion with a throwback black-and-white picture of the Duke of York, as well as a new formal portrait.
"On this day in 1960, Prince Andrew was born at Buckingham Palace, the first child born to a reigning monarch for 103 years," a caption read. "Happy Birthday to The Duke of York."
Followers of the official account were not too pleased with the post and suggested it was inappropriate to show him such public support at a time when he was beleaguered by controversy.
"Happy birthday p d o Andrew... now go to the FBI, the party is over," one user wrote, while another similarly commented, "As a birthday gift, go speak to the FBI."
"All things considered, this post is a little tone deaf," another posted. "Not sure which PR person thought this was a good idea."
Besides, the royal family account, Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 60, also wished Andrew a happy birthday and posted a black-and-white picture of him relaxing at home with two dogs. The caption, however, was a simple, "Happy 60th Birthday to Andrew."
One commenter pointed out that the post was not right on Ferguson's part either, writing, "You’ve stayed celebrating him while promoting human trafficking issues. He’s been at the very least a benefiter of human traffickers and a friend of abusers. This is a time for humility."
The Duke of York, who has repeatedly denied the allegations leveled against him that he had sexual relations with underage girls, will be denied his promotion to admiral as planned because of the Epstein scandal.
Government buildings will not be required to fly the Union Jack to mark his birthday, according to the Daily Mail, which also reported that there would not be a grand party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the occasion.
Instead, there will be a small family dinner at the Royal Lodge, his home in Windsor Great Park, where around a dozen, including Fergie and their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are expected to be in attendance.
The bells of Westminster Abbey will also be rung in celebration as it is a Royal Peculiar and a place of worship that falls under the jurisdiction of the monarch rather than a bishop.
It's a stark contrast to his 50th birthday, which saw the likes of Pretty Polly and Cadbury's Flake model Catrina Skepper, socialite Caroline Stanbury, Kazakh-born socialite Goga Ashkenazi, and several other high-profile guests turn up for an over-the-weekend bash at St. James' Palace.
