Prince Andrew deletes his Twitter, Instagram and Facebook profiles

Prince Andrew deletes his Twitter, Instagram and Facebook profiles
Prince Andrew deletes his Twitter, Instagram and Facebook profiles

Prince Andrew's Twitter account has been deleted and a Government Minister slammed his 'horrifically ill-advised associations' as pressure intensified on the Queen's son one week after she removed his honorary military roles.

Social media users visiting the Duke of York's official Twitter page @thedukeofyork today were greeted with a message saying 'this account doesn't exist - try searching for another' just hours after it was still live yesterday.

The Duke's Facebook and Instagram accounts - which both have the handle @hrhthedukeofyork - were still live this morning, six days after Andrew lost his titles and gave up his use of the HRH style last Thursday.

However a source close to Andrew told MailOnline today that all of his social media channels had now been removed and were no longer live, but some of them were taking longer to filter through. The source said: 'The changes have been made to reflect the recent statement from Buckingham Palace regarding The Duke of York.' 

It comes after a series of revelations in an ITV documentary last night which saw his ex-girlfriend Lady Victoria Hervey claim Jeffery Epstein and former US president Bill Clinton 'were like brothers' and 'loved' being around him.

And Lady Victoria, the 45-year-old former 'It Girl', also said Ghislaine Maxwell used her as 'bait' to entertain Epstein's friends, adding that the US paedophile and financier had Maxwell 'sort of go fishing' for girls for him. 

The documentary on at 9pm yesterday also aired allegations by former royal protection officer Paul Page that Andrew's love of his soft toy collection meant he would throw a tantrum if the teddy bears were moved.

Mr Page said a laminated picture of his toys was kept in a drawer to help household staff properly place them on his bed – and he would 'shout and scream and become verbally abusive' if they were not put back correctly.

Two of those speaking on the programme - viewed by a peak of 3.3million viewers - suggested Andrew and Maxwell were so comfortable around each other they gave the impression they had been in a relationship.

Euan Rellie, who socialised with Maxwell, told the documentary: 'I got the sense that Prince Andrew and Ghislaine had probably been boyfriend and girlfriend in the past. They had an easy warmth around each other.'

And Mr Page, who said he believes he first met Maxwell in 2001, added: 'From the way she was allowed to enter and exit the palace, go in and out, we thought she was having an intimate relationship with Prince Andrew.'

Andrew, who was born an HRH, will not use the style in any official capacity, and was also stripped last week of his remaining royal patronages in a decision which represented the Duke's complete removal from official royal life. 

Duke of York Twitter account today

Duke of York Twitter account yesterday

Social media users visiting the Duke of York's official Twitter page @thedukeofyork today were greeted with a message saying 'this account doesn't exist - try searching for another' (left) just hours after it was still live yesterday (right, as it appeared)

Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts stand together with Ghislaine Maxwell in the background in London on March 13, 2001

Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts stand together with Ghislaine Maxwell in the background in London on March 13, 2001

Prince Andrew Facebook

Prince Andrew Instagram

The Duke's Facebook and Instagram accounts - which both have the handle @hrhthedukeofyork - were still live this morning, but a source close to Andrew told MailOnline today that they had been removed but were taking longer to filter through

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told LBC today that the associations kept by Andrew were 'horrifically ill-advised'

The Queen's dramatic move came one day after the lawsuit against Andrew in New York took a big step forward when a judge threw out his motion to dismiss the sexual assault case against him and ruled it can go to trial.

Speaking about Andrew on LBC radio today, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said: 'He is out of public view. 

Special Jubilee medal awarded to Prince Harry, Meghan and Andrew 

Prince Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew are set to be awarded special Platinum Jubilee medals by the Queen next month.

The commemorative medals are also being presented to frontline staff at the police, fire and emergency services who have completed five years' service, as a token of thanks. Members of the royal household with one year of qualifying service will receive medals too.

Prince Andrew next to Harry and Meghan on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 2019. Also pictured (front) are the Queen (left), James, Viscount Severn and Isla Philips (both right)

Prince Andrew next to Harry and Meghan on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 2019. Also pictured (front) are the Queen (left), James, Viscount Severn and Isla Philips (both right)

But as with previous jubilees, the Queen will pay privately for medals to be given to members of her 'wider' family, both working and non-working.

And this year the non-working number will include Andrew, Harry and Meghan. The Duke of York was forced to relinquish his remaining royal roles and stop using his HRH title last week as he faces his US sex case as a 'private citizen'.

Harry and Meghan, who quit as working royals and moved to the US in pursuit of lucrative commercial careers while repeatedly criticising the Royal Family, will also be awarded medals as a matter of course.

A royal source said: 'In common with previous jubilees, it is likely that wider members of the Royal Family would receive the Platinum Jubilee medal... they are funded privately and are commemorative.'

It is understood that Andrew, Harry and Meghan would be entitled to wear their medals with 'civilian dress' if they are invited to an event where the dress code says 'decorations'.

But the Queen may not be able to award Harry and Meghan's medals in person. Harry is threatening to seek a judicial review of a Home Office decision not to allow him to pay for police protection while in Britain.

Without this security, he feels unable to travel to the UK, a spokesman said. The medals will also go to frontline prison and Armed Forces staff, as well as living individual recipients of the George and Victoria Cross.

Advertisement

'My personal reflection is his associations are horrifically ill-advised and he has caused enormous challenges for the Royal Family in a year when we should be celebrating the extraordinary service of Her Majesty the Queen as she reaches her Platinum Jubilee. 

'But I'm also a Minister of the Crown and it would not be appropriate for me to give any further comment that might risk being too colourful.'

It comes as Lady Victoria told yesterday how Maxwell used her as 'bait' to entertain Epstein's friends. The socialite and model, who dated Andrew in her early twenties, said the US paedophile and financier had Maxwell 'sort of go fishing' for girls for him.

The 45-year-old former 'It Girl', who is the daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bristol, first met the pair 20 years ago when she said she was 'young and naive'.

On the ITV documentary last night

read more from dailymail.....

PREV Urgent ceasefire talks in Cairo as Israel continues attack on Rafah mogaznewsen
NEXT Female teacher, 35, is arrested after sending nude pics via text to students ... trends now