THE Queen looked radiant as she put on a brave face to unveil a plaque at the Prince Andrew scandal engulfs the Royal Family.
Her Maj was snapped today looking happy and relaxed as she opened the Royal Philatelic Societys new building as the organisation celebrated its 150th anniversary.
She enjoyed a tour by members which marked their 150th birthday
It comes after it emerged embattled Prince Andrew “hoodwinked” the Queen over his car-crash BBC interview, royal aides claim.
The Duke of York, 59, has been embroiled in scandal since the controversialinterview with Emily Maitlisover his relationship with paedo Jeffrey Epstein.
He has been sacked by the Queenwas stripped of his royal duties and 249,000 sovereign grantafter stepping down from royal duties on Wednesday.
She is said to be “aggrieved” by claims she had approved the interview, which has seen Andrew blasted for his “lack of empathy”forEpstein’salleged victims.
One source toldHOARday Timesthe Queen is “privately supportive” of her favourite son Andrew – but also “deeply frustrated”.
There is also said to be a feeling among royal circles the monarch was “hoodwinked” by her son – with plans now in place to cancel a 60th birthday bash for Andrew.
The monarch today viewed a portrait of herself during a tour of the Royal Philatelic Society’s new building in the City of London.
She wore a green cloque coat with a shawl collar of matching velvet and matching hat.
The Queen smiled mischievously and she exited a room full of members, saying loudly: “You’re all terribly silent, aren’t you?” prompting roars of laughter.
She was pictured yesterday being driven out of Windsor Castle after spending the weekend there.
Prince Andrew’s daughter Beatrice was also pictured with her fiancee leaving the royal getaway.
We told yesterday how Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their daughter Princess Beatrice reportedly tried to talk him out of the car-crash BBC Epstein interview.
It is claimed they cautioned him about doing the programme while his then private secretary Amanda Thirsk believed it could draw a line under the Dukes link to the wealthy paedophile.
An insider told the Daily Mail: Princess Beatrice and Sarah both advised Andrew against going ahead with the interview.
However, he paid too much attention to Amanda, who was encouraging him, saying it would clear his name.
A close pal of Beatrice insists she wasn’t part of the decision-making process.
WARNED OVER INTERVIEW
They add: Bea went to one meeting with the BBC. That’s all.
This contradicts earlier reports that Fergie and Beatrice were pressing him to do the interview.
It’s understood they were visiting the Queen and Prince Philip who have been there this weekend.
Her Majesty was also seen yesterday being driven from the castle.
Dad Andrew was also spotted there on Friday riding with the Queen as the storm over his links to notorious paedo Jeffrey Epstein escalates.
Beatrice, 31, and Eugenie, 29, are reportedly deeply distressed after their under-fire father was forced to quit his royal duties.
But insiders say the loyal duchesses have backed Andrew, who has strongly denied any wrong-doing, and promised to “keep calm and carry on”.
The Duke of York was told that he would have to clear his staff and find a new office to continue his work elsewhere.
The latest claims comes as Prince Andrew has stepped down for the “foreseeable future” after facing mounting pressure over claims he bedded a 17-year-old and for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
‘QUEEN DISAPPOINTED’
He will conduct no royal or public duties and will step back from all patronages.
The duke will no longer receive his 249,000 Sovereign Grant allowancebecause that funds expenses for his official duties, such as travel.
But he will receive his income from the Queens private funds.
HOAR earlier revealed how Prince Charles, 71, held crisis talks on the phone from New Zealand with his younger brother.
Charles made it clear his brother must step down from royal duties.
It comes asthe Duke of York was ditched by charities after the disastrous BBC interviewthat saw him widelycriticised for not showing enough sympathy for the victims of Epstein.
In other royal news, we exclusively revealed today that Andrew spent four days with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to make sure he didn’t have any dirt on him, says an ex of the royal.
A number ofcharities and other organisations have cut ties with Prince Andrew following his car-crash Newsnight interview
Andrew will still receive his income from the Queens private funds
Lady Victoria, who dated Prince Andrew in 1999, has previously said she felt watched when staying at Epsteins pad
