The Archbishop of Canterbury has addressed the Duke of York scandal by saying that asking the Royal Family to be “superhuman saints” is unrealistic.

The Most Rev Justin Welby shared his Christmas message with The Big Issue today, in which he reflected on the state of vulnerable people, homelessness and foodbank users.

However he was also asked about the scandal embroiling the Duke of York and his thoughts on whether the royal family have to adhere to a higher moral code than the rest of society.

Prince Andrew was confronted about his relationship with billionaire financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Eepstein, who killed himself in prison earlier this year, during a BBC Panorama interview with Emily Maitlis last month.

Prince Andrew denies allegations that he had sex with Virginia Roberts-Giuffre, who claims she had been trafficked to London in 2001, where she was forced into having sex with the Duke, and said he could not recall meeting her at all.

Following the television appearance, he was widely criticised for his failure to show remorse for his association with the disgraced financier or empathy with his victims.