Prince Andrew has cancelled a lavish birthday party for his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson amid the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Ferguson, who remains close friends with the prince, was set to celebrate her 66th birthday last Wednesday with a lavish party at the pair's mansion in Windsor. Andrew decided to cancel the event amid discussion about giving up his royal titles, which includes the Duke of York.

The reported revelation comes after Prince Andrew announced on Friday that he would no longer use the titles. Andrew's move was sparked after it emerged he had emailed billionaire paedophile Epstein after he claimed to have cut off contact with him.

The 2011 email discussed Virginia Giuffre, a victim who claimed Epstein trafficked her, reports The Sun. Epstein was convicted of child sex offences in 2008.

Following the announcement he would not use his titles, Prince Andrew defended himself. He said: "I vigorously deny the accusations against me."

Ferguson became embroiled in the scandal after favourable emails from her to Epstein emerged. In the 2011 message, Ferguson called Epstein her "supreme friend."

It happened after Ferguson told reporters she would "never have anything to do with" the sex offender. She was dropped from roles with charities after the message came to light in September.

While Prince Andrew has vowed not to use his titles, there have been calls for him to go further. Royal author Ingrid Seward previously said: "People are furious. He might not be a Duke any more, but he still lives like a Prince.

"How can he possibly continue to live on the Windsor Park estate in a 30-room mansion? The time has come for the King to tell Andrew to pack up and tell him: 'I'm sorry, take the money you've put into Royal Lodge and start a new life elsewhere.'

"His actions have played a large part in disgracing his family. Does he really want to be the man to play a part in bringing down the monarchy?"

Prince Andrew cancels Sarah Ferguson's lavish birthday party amid scandal - The Mirror