KEY POINTS

  • Queen Elizabeth II greets Prince Andrew on his 60th birthday
  • Queen Elizabeth II didn't include Prince Andrew's "HRH" title in her birthday greeting
  • Royal family is reportedly far better off without Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Queen Elizabeth II surprisingly removed Prince Andrew’s “HRH” title in her birthday greeting.

The Queen didn’t forget the special day of her favorite son. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip penned a short but sweet message to their second son on Twitter alongside two photos. One was when Prince Andrew was still a baby seated on the lap of Queen Mother. The second was taken recently.

“On this day in 1960, Prince Andrew was born at Buckingham Palace, the first child born to a reigning monarch for 103 years. Happy Birthday to The Duke of York,” the message read.

However, the message didn’t include Prince Andrew’s “His Royal Highness” style, which symbolizes his royal status. Express noted that the omission of the title was surprising especially since the royal family addressed the Duke of York using his HRH style when they greeted him on his 58th and 59th birthday.

In 2019, the Queen and Prince Philip’s message for Prince Andrew’s birthday read, “Happy Birthday to HRH The Duke of York!” In 2018, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s message was similar, “Happy Birthday to HRH The Duke of York! #HappyBirthdayHRH.”

This isn’t the first time the Queen didn’t use the HRH title for a member of the royal family. Many noticed that when she delivered a message following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bombshell exit announcement, she referred to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex several times without their HRH titles, prompting rumors that she would be stripping the couple of their royal titles.

“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family. Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives,” the Queen said.

Meanwhile, Dominic Sandbrook penned an article suggesting that the royal family is better off without Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Markle. He said that those individuals will not be missed. He added that the public should not mourn for their departure either because the monarchy is far better off without them.

Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Andrew
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew have a close relationship with each other. Pictured: The Queen and Prince Andrew arrive in the Royal procession on day 3 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2018 in Ascot, England. Getty Images/Joe Maher for Ascot Racecourse