CONCERNS are growing within the Royal Family about the increasing pressure on the Queen as the monarchy is plunged into crisis over Prince Andrew.
The 93-year-old monarch who went riding at Windsor Castle yesterday has been struggling without the companionship of Prince Philip, 98.
He is staying at Sandringham as he significantly scales back his private activities following a wobble a few weeks ago.
Adding to the Queens woes in what is shaping up to be her second annus horribilis is the fact that Prince Charles is on tour in New Zealand.
And not only is the heir to the throne not on hand to help deal with the fallout from Andrews Newsnight interview, his team at Clarence House are likely to be furious that the TV debacle has overshadowed the tour.
On Monday night a royal source revealed: The Queen is under strain. Shes telling everyone shes fine because thats what she does.
But shes 93 and its obvious this is going to take a real toll, so everyone is incredibly concerned.
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. But now her problems are piling up, both inside and outside the family.
Shes 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.
Its certainly going to be a strange Christmas for her and does she really deserve this after all shes done?
ANNUS HORRIBILIS 2
The year has had echoes of 1992, which the monarch famously described as her annus horribilis.
Back then, Andrew separated from wife Sarah Ferguson, Princess Anne got divorced and Princess Diana revealed the problems in her marriage to Charles.
This year started with Prince Philips car crash, continued with the rift between Harry and William and spiked with Andrews disastrous interview last weekend. The Queens control over her family has also been questioned in recent months as Charles tries to step up his power at Clarence House.
But he has not received overwhelming support from his brothers Andrew and Edward or his sons William and Harry.
As the Sun revealed on Sunday, the Queen is continuing to stand by Andrew, who she went to church with on Sunday morning just hours after his car-crash BBC interview with Emily Maitlis.
He told his mother he believed the tell-all had been a great success despite international outrage over his failure to express remorse over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Royal sources are also rallying around Andrew, telling the Evening Standard on Monday that the Queen and other senior royals supported his decision to take part in the interview.
They said they back and believe his answers on TV 100 per cent and there is absolutely no question he will be forced to scale back his royal duties.
QUEEN’S STRUGGLE WITHOUT PHIL
As the Queen navigates her way through the crisis, she is without her beloved husband by her side.
The couple, who celebrate their 72nd wedding anniversary tomorrow, instead speak on the phone every day as she gets on with her extraordinary workload.
The insider explained: A few weeks ago Philip had a bit of a wobble and hasnt 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.
Retired Philip has been staying at Wood Farm, a comfortable five-bedroom house on the Norfolk estate. The Queen and other family members except Harry and Meghan will join him at Sandringham for Christmas.
Another senior royal source said: This year more than ever there is a need to come together because it could be one of their last Christmases together as a family.
So its rather sad that Harry and Meghan wont be there.
The Queen riding her horse accompanied by Head Groom Terry Pendry in the grounds of Windsor Castle
Prince Andrew told his mother the tell-all interview had been a ‘great success’
Prince Charles and Camilla have been on tour in New Zealand
The Duchess of Cornwall gives the rolling pin a go during the royal visit
The monarch has been ‘struggling’ without Prince Philip, who’s been living in Sandringham
The royal rift between William and Harry has also added to the Queen’s woes this year
