Prince Andrew has seen a spectacular backlash from an interview he took part in with the BBC over his friendship with convicted sex offender and alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. As sponsors and affiliates of the Duke’s charity patronages back out in their droves, the Palace announced Andrew would be stepping back from royal duties and all of his patronages for the “foreseeable future”.

Amid the furore, Andrew’s eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, is planning her 2020 wedding to property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Speculation is growing the nuptials could be considerably pared-back to spare further public backlash.

The assumption now is that Beatrice will not have a public wedding in line with that of her sister, Princess Eugenie.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Monday morning, Piers Morgan said: “I feel sorry for his daughters.”

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Mr Morgan added: “Beatrice – are we going to have Andrew walking her down the aisle televised? I think not.”

Royal experts agree the wedding is likely to be low-key.

Royal expert and author Marlene Koenig tweeted: “Beatrice’s wedding will be collateral damage.

“I will not be surprised if she has a rather quiet wedding, out of the public eye, with a few photos, no live coverage.”

She added: “This will be better than an announcement that they have decided to postpone marriage.”

According to the Daily Mail’s royal correspondent Richard Eden, those close to the couple have confirmed their desires to keep things quiet.

One said: “It will be more low key. Bea and Edo are happy for their wedding to get less attention.”

The couple are said to be considering having the wedding at Prince Andrew’s home, or a small London venue.

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There will be no televised ceremony or horse-drawn carriage procession through town, as enjoyed by Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in 2018.

While Andrew’s family have remained silent in the aftermath of the BBC interview, the Duke himself was seen out for the first time horseriding with the Queen last week.

He was seen by photographers on Thursday morning driving out of his home in Windsor, Berkshire, and was later spotted leaving Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of York’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who defended him as a “true and real gentleman” a day before the Newsnight interview was broadcast, was also seen being driven into the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

The announcement he would be stepping down from public duties, described by Buckingham Palace as “a personal decision”, was taken following discussions with the Queen and Prince Charles.

This means the Duke’s access to public money to fund travel and expenses will end.

Andrew has been urged to put himself forward to be interviewed by US investigators who are looking into allegations against Jeffrey Epstein.

In his statement on Wednesday, Prince Andrew said he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required”.

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