Queen Elizabeth II has long attempted to keep out from the British political scene to protect the neutrality that comes with the role of sovereign. But Her Majesty was left feeling “horrendous” after the monarchy was put into question as part of the first general election debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn due to the recent flurry of attention surrounding Prince Andrew. Speaking to Sky News, royal author Angela Levin said: “I think, if ten it’s the worst, I think it’s 11. I think it’s really terrible.

“I think it’s so bad, the timing is very bad. The Queen and the royals have always made sure they don’t interfere with general election – it’s very important she doesn’t get involved in that.”

Ms Levin suggested having the monarchy mentioned in the debate gave the Queen the “final push” to agree with the Duke of York he should withdraw from official duties for “the foreseeable future.” 

She continued: “I’ve been told that with the talk between Borid Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, they actually brought up questions about the monarchy, which was horrendous for her.

“That was actually, maybe, the final push or just part of the push.”

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Prince Andrew has come under much criticism after opening up about his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Until last Saturday, the Prince had only released statements on his relationship with Epstein through Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of York said he had met the financier through common friend Ghislaine Maxwell and had then seen Epstein “once or twice a year” since their first introduction.

During the first leaders’ debate on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn were asked about their opinions on the Royal Family and the Prince Andrew scandal.

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The Prime Minister said: “The institution of the monarchy is beyond reproach.

“I think all our sympathies should be obviously with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and the law must certainly take its course.”

The Labour leader however suggested the monarchy would need “a bit of improvement,” before adding: “Before we discuss Prince Andrew I think we should discuss the victims that are there because of what Epstein was doing and I think there are very, very serious questions that must be answered and nobody should be above the law.

“But the primary position ought to be the proper treatment of those people who were victims of the most appalling behaviour by apparently Epstein and many others.

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On Wednesday, the Duke of York announced his decision to step back from royal duties as he confessed his former association with Epstein had become a “major disruption” to the Royal Family.

Andrew also expressed sympathy for Epstein’s victims, adding that the convicted sex offender’s suicide has “left many unanswered questions”.

Epstein killed himself in jail in August, where he was being held on fresh charges with a tentative trial date set in mid-2020.

The Duke’s decision comes after he cancelled at the last moment a visit to Yorkshire where he was due to meet residents impacted by the devastating floods in Fishlake and Stainforth.

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