A royal source said: “The Queen has acted quickly and decisively. She’s back in control.

“This scandal with Andrew and Epstein was threatening the crown and she wasn’t prepared to let personal feelings stand in the way of protecting the institution.

“This is a warning to any of the younger royals, particularly Meghan and Harry, that she won’t tolerate them stepping out of line.

“She was not happy with the TV interview they did and them generally doing their own thing.

“The house of York has a history of doing its own thing, and look where that has got them.

“The Sussexes need to take heed, keep their heads down, do a programme of British engagements up and down the country and most of all do as they’re told.”

Harry and Meghan upset much of the Royal Family with Harry’s admission that he’d fallen out with older brother Prince William and Meghan condemning the “British stiff upper lip.”

Both said they were struggling with royal duties and royal life during a tour to Southern Africa where they met some of the world’s poorest people.

They were criticised over the summer for preaching on climate change and then taking a number of private jets to holidays in Ibiza and France with Elton John.