Queen Elizabeth puts on brave face just hours after Prince Andrew bombshell

Queen Elizabeth is carrying on as usual as the royal family faces its biggest scandal in decades, stepping out just hours after her son sensationally quit.

Queen Elizabeth is keeping her head high and carrying on with her professional duties just hours after Prince Andrew sensationally asked the monarch for permission to ‘step back’ from royal life.

The Queen presented the 2019 Chatham House Prize to British broadcaster Sir David Attenborough at an event in London overnight.

Queen Elizabeth II was all smiles as she attended the Royal Institute of International Affairs in Chatham House on Wednesday. Picture: AP

While at the centre of public controversy following his “car crash” Jeffrey Epstein interview, on his parents’ 72nd wedding anniversary, the Duke of York said the Queen had given her permission for him to bow out of royal duties.

Andrew also announced he is ready to help police investigating Epstein.

Her public appearance alongside Sir David Attenborough came just hours after Prince Andrew stepped down. Picture: AP

KEEP ON KEEPING ON

But Her Majesty looked no less professional than always, as she displayed a wholesome smile while awarding the British broadcaster the Chatham House prize along with the BBC Studios Natural History Unit for his hit BBC nature series Blue Planet II.

The series raised public awareness around the world of the danger of plastic pollution in oceans.

The annual Chatham House Prize honours people or organisations deemed to have made the most significant contribution to the improvement of international relations.

Queen Elizabeth put on a brave face in the wake of the scandal. Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images

Robin Niblett, director of Chatham House, in a statement: “Plastic pollution is one of the gravest challenges facing the world’s oceans, and undoubtedly an international issue.

“Blue Planet II spurred a passionate global response and clear behavioural and policy change.”

BOMBSHELL STATEMENT

Prince Andrew has stepped down from royal duties. Picture: Getty

But just hours prior to the royal’s appearance, Prince Andrew released a bombshell statement in which he said: “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.

“I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein.

“His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.”

The royal adds: “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.”

PUBLIC REACTS

This latest development in the Prince Andrew saga has not been met kindly by royal commentators and the public:

Prince Andrew is stepping back from public duties, to pursue Being Absolutely Stinking Rich And Living In Palaces full-time.

Call it what you want, but this isn’t justice.

— Ash Sarkar (@AyoCaesar) November 20, 2019

I watch this news warily, since I could see Prince Andrew trying to weasel out of it and officials and media letting him. But any shift toward accountability is due to the brave survivors of Epstein who told their stories despite the risk to their lives. https://t.co/JeXKvSVMUm

— Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) November 20, 2019

Prince Andrew: “Now that I’ve said everything I needed to say, and cleared up any lingering questions about my longtime friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, it is time for me to gracefully, and voluntarily, step back from the public eye,”

— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) November 20, 2019

So he regrets it now - #PrinceAndrew

— Prof Kate Williams (@KateWilliamsme) November 20, 2019

#PrinceAndrew 'resigns'

So he's going to sit back doing nothing, but continue to take the money.

...great.

Oh, and very magnanimous of him to condescend to cooperate with the police. 🤦 pic.twitter.com/Ql0wt5hc9w

— Attaphia 🌹🎅 #Corbyn4Christmas🎅 💚🌍🌏🌎💚🌱 (@Attaphia) November 20, 2019

The extraordinary development comes after four days of outrage over the prince’s ill-advised interview with the BBC, which has already seen several sponsors and charities pull the plug on their connections to the royal.

‘CAR CRASH’ INTERVIEW

The Duke of York spoke about his links with the disgraced millionaire during an “unvetted questions” interview with BBC2 Newnight’s Emily Maitlis on Saturday.

In the prime time BBC interview, Andrew said: “Do I regret the fact that he has quite obviously conducted himself in a manner unbecoming? Yes.”

Ms Maitlis replied: “Unbecoming? He was a sex offender.”

He clarified: “Yeah, I’m sorry, I’m being polite, I mean in the sense that he was a sex offender.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.