The Monarch presented Sir David, both 93, with an award for his BBC series Blue Planet II after it raised awareness of the danger of plastic pollution in oceans. The broadcaster was awarded the Chatham House prize along with the BBC Studios Natural History Unit for “the galvanising impact” the series has had on climate change awareness. The prize honours those that have made the most significant contribution to the improvement of international relations.

Robin Niblett, director of Chatham House, said: “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 generated clear behavioural and policy change.”

The Queen’s appearance at the event in the Capital is an irregularity in itself – not only as she has been scaling back on public duties for the past few years now, but also because her second son, Andrew, was granted her permission to step away from public duties earlier on Wednesday.

A statement issued by the Prince 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.

“Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.

“Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”

The 59-year-old denies an allegation that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl procured for him by his friend Epstein, who died in a US prison in August while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

The scandal has escalated since Andrew’s explanations in a BBC TV interview which aired on Saturday and left many viewers incredulous. Andrew faced criticism for his apparent lack of compassion for Epstein’s victims.

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As the story dominated news headlines for a fourth day and a slew of businesses distanced themselves from organisations and charities associated with the prince, he said he would step down from public life for the time being.

Andrew has been under scrutiny over his friendship with Epstein for the past several years.

He quit as Britain’s roving trade ambassador in 2011 after being lambasted for his links to the financier after he was jailed in 2008 for child sex offences.

Then in 2015, one of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Giuffre, said she was forced to have sex with Andrew in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island between 1999 and 2002.

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In his BBC interview, he categorically denied the sex claims and gave a series of explanations as to why her account was not true, such as not being able to sweat and being at a pizza restaurant in the suburban town of Woking.

Rather than drawing a line under the accusations, the interview led to more questions and businesses pulling out of supporting his charities and Pitch@Palace scheme to help young tech entrepreneurs.

BT, one of Britain’s oldest companies and its largest broadband provider, said on Wednesday told a scheme that helps develop digital skills to drop Andrew as its patron if it wanted to maintain its support.

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