Sarah Ferguson wishes Prince Andrew happy birthday on Instagram as he turns 60

Sarah Ferguson has sent her ex-husband, Prince Andrew a birthday message to celebrate him turning 60 today.

• The Duchess of York shared a picture on Instagram to celebrate Andrew's 60th birthday
• The Queen also wished him happy birthday
• This comes after royal news that he made a return to royal duties after stepping down last year

She's remained fairly quiet since her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, stepped down from royal duties after a disastrous interview about his friendship with late paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.

But the Duchess of York has taken to Instagram to wish him a happy birthday.

Wishing Prince Andrew happy birthday

Sharing a black and white photo of the Prince, she simply wrote, 'Happy 60th Birthday to Andrew.'

Fergie isn't the only royal to have wished Prince Andrew a happy birthday today.

His mother, Her Majesty the Queen, also shared a message on her official Instagram page.

Alongside a black and white shot of Andrew as a baby, the account wrote, '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.'

Public celebration

While some royal fans have questioned why his milestone birthday is being celebrated in light of the controversy surrounding him, Prince Andrew's birthday will be publicly celebrated later today.

Westminster Abbey will ring its bells at 1pm.

A spokesperson for the Abbey said, 'Westminster Abbey is a Royal Peculiar answerable to the Sovereign and the bells are rung for the birthdays of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh; their children; and TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children.'

However, the Duke of York is not likely to have Union Jacks flying in its honour outside of Government buildings.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said that councils are not required to mark his birthday with flags since he stepped back from royal duties.