Prince Andrew's birthday to be marked with Westminster Abbey bell ringing despite Epstein scandal

King Charles III coronation
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Jacob Jarvis6 February 2020

The Duke of York’s birthday will still be marked by the ringing of bells at Westminster Abbey despite the scandal surrounding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

A spokeswoman for the Abbey confirmed bells would ring out on Prince Andrew's birthday on February 19.

She said: “Westminster Abbey is a Royal Peculiar and the bells are rung for the birthdays of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh; their children; and TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children.

“There are no plans to change these arrangements.”

Andrew leaves his home in Windsor, the day after he suspended his work with his charities, organisations and military units
PA

The Royal Household is still in discussions over whether flags should fly on government buildings on Andrew's birthday after he walked away from frontline commitments to the family last year.

It has been reported that councils across Britain were emailed a reminder to fly the Union Jack on their buildings.

The suggestion of doing this for Andrew following the furore around his stepping down has been described as "wholly inappropriate" and "hugely insulting".

This is standard protocol for senior royals but following his change in duties the tradition is being debated, Downing Street confirmed.

Pressed on the email, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “This was an administrative email about long-standing policy.

“I understand DCMS [Department for Culture, Media and sport] and the royal household are considering how the policy applies in changing circumstances such as when members of the royal family step back from their duties.”

The Standard has contacted the Royal Household for comment.

Andrew stepped down in November following a disastrous Newsnight interview in the wake of the Epstein scandal.

Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein, said in an interview with BBC Panorama that she was left "horrified and ashamed" after an alleged sexual encounter with Andrew in London in 2001.

Andrew denies the accusations.

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