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Princess Beatrice helped her Prince Andrew set up his car-crash Newsnight interview - and has been crying since, it is reported.

His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, was also among the key figures who pushed for Prince Andrew to go ahead with the televised interview.

Fergie believed the public would be convinced the Duke was telling the truth if he talked about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in his own words, according to reports.

It's said the Duchess had also been keen to end the speculation about the Duke's involvement with convicted paedophile ahead of Beatrice's wedding next year.

(Image: Getty Images)

But the interview has led to Prince Andrew stepping down from his royal duties and has his birthday party downgraded to a much smaller family dinner by the Queen.

Beatrice, 31, and her father met Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis three days before the formal interview, it's reported in the Mail on Sunday.

A source said: "Sarah [Ferguson] was abroad so Beatrice sat in on the discussions. Initially, Beatrice was sceptical that a television interview, which would inevitably delve into her father's private life, was such a good idea.

"She was asking lots of pertinent questions and had her doubts.

"But by the end of the meeting she was convinced by the Newsnight team and Amanda Thirsk [Duke's then-private secretary] that they had no choice - that it was the only way to put all the rumours behind them."

(Image: PA)

Princess Beatrice is now mortified that she did not do more to stop the interview going ahead, the source said.

The insider added: "Both Sarah and Andrew rely on Beatrice's judgement a lot when it comes to dealing with the public as she's got an old head on young shoulders.

"You can't really blame Beatrice because I think the odds were stacked against her on this one.

"Andrew, Fergie and Amanda decided they had to do it."

(Image: REX/Shutterstock)

But Beatrice was seen 'tearful' while hosting a party for her fiance's 36th birthday on Tuesday night.

The source said: "Beatrice was sombre and make-up-free for the birthday dinner.

"She seemed quite tearful at times. In fact, Beatrice has been in tears every day since the interview went out."

Prince Andrew has since announced to 'step back from public duties for the foreseeable future'.