UNDERSTANDABLY, THE QUEEN IS STRUGGLING NOW

The Queen’s Jubilee year has been blighted by the worst scandal to hit the family since the start of her reign. What should have been 12 months of celebrations now seems set to become another disastrous few months, dominated by the ongoing Prince Andrew sex scandal.

- Duncan Larcombe

Buckingham Palace sources have hinted that the Duke of York will be urged to settle his civil case with Virginia Giuffre before it is due to reach court in September.

This – they say – is a sign that Her Majesty is understandably struggling as the scandal engulfing the family takes its toll on the 95-year-old monarch.

The Queen has had a torrid time since she lost Prince Philip, with COVID-19 stopping her from being surrounded by family – and now this. Is it surprising that she’s finding it hard?