The backlash sparked by Prince Andrew’s interview to Newsnight and other problems the Royal Family has encountered in the past months is having a “real toll” on the Queen, they said. The 93-year-old monarch is still carrying out hundreds of engagement every year but recent worries have been troubling her, the unnamed royal source said. 

They told The Sun: “The Queen is under strain.

“She’s telling everyone she’s fine because that’s what she does.

“But she’s 93 and it’s obvious this is going to take a real toll, so everyone is incredibly concerned.”

The Queen, the source continued, had seemed happy and pleased in recent years before the royal family was hit by a number of controversies. 

They said: “A couple of years ago she seemed very content. Charles and Camilla were sorted, William and Kate were doing well and then Harry finding a wife.”

However, the source added, recent months have unveiled new problems for senior royals, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wellbeing, the feud between Harry and Prince William and Prince Andrew’s friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

And, the source continued, these personal concerns add to the Queen’s concern for the unity of the country.

JUST IN: Prince Philip health fears: Duke suffered a ‘bit of a wobble’

The source said: “But now her problems are piling up, both inside and outside the family.

“She’s trying to hold a country together post-Brexit and the Scottish independence referendum.

“And now the crisis over Prince Andrew follows all the heartache over her grandsons.

“It’s certainly going to be a strange Christmas for her — and does she really deserve this after all she’s done?”

The Queen had to deal with a series of scandals, worries and changes this year, including Prince Philip’s car crash in January, the creation of the Sussex Household and Meghan and Harry’s split from Kensington Palace and the ITV documentary focused on the Sussexes, their charitable work and their wellbeing.

The Royal Family is now also being hit by a backlash following Prince Andrew’s interview to Newsnight, where he spoke of his friendship with Epstein, which he said he doesn’t regret, and discusses Virginia Roberts’ claims.

The Queen was spotted yesterday riding in the company only of an equerry in the grounds of her Windsor estate.  

Prince Philip, the royal source added, has suffered a “bit of a wobble” a few weeks ago, which brought him to seek some rest and relaxation in Sandringham.

There, away from the chaos in London, the Duke of Edinburgh is spending his time reading and “pottering about”.

The source said: “A few weeks ago Philip had a bit of a wobble and hasn’t felt so energetic.

“He has been living quietly at Sandringham, where he spends most of his time reading and pottering about. 

“Until recently he has been very active — carriage riding, fishing at Balmoral and driving around royal estates — although he no longer drives on public roads following his crash in January.

“His mind is as sharp as ever. However the sad reality is that the Queen is more isolated.

“They are both making an extraordinary personal sacrifice for the country.”

The Queen and Prince Philip, who will celebrate their wedding anniversary tomorrow, are said to be speaking over the phone every day, while the monarch continues to carry out her duties.

Buckingham Palace didn’t comment on the source’s claims.     

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