Prince Andrew had planned to celebrate his 60th birthday surrounded by his family, friends and charity colleagues at a glitzy party.
But following months of scandal, the Duke of York's day will be much more low-key after being significantly downgraded by his mum the Queen.
Andrew has been heavily criticised for his friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, fuelled by his car-crash Newsnight interview in which he failed to show any regret or empathy with his victims.
It resulted in him being effectively 'sacked' from his royal duties while charities cut all ties with him.
The Queen's son was due to mark the landmark occasion with a big party, similar to the one the Queen hosted for Prince Charles's 60th in 2008, however plans were scrapped amid the scandal.
Instead, they will sit down for a family dinner at Royal Lodge - the York family's Windsor home - this evening.
About 12 people are due to attend. A group of Andrew's friends are also said to be planning a celebration.
There were reports that several of the invited guests shunned the dinner party, forcing loyal ex-wife Sarah Ferguson to desperately try to make up the numbers.
According to MailOnline a number of friends have become "unavailable", resulting in Fergie's assistant looking for replacements.
"Nothing quite illustrates the Duke of York's dizzying fall from grace than the manner in which a number of his friends — or those he thought of as friends — have shunned the chance to join him tomorrow on his 60th birthday," the Mail's Sebastian Shakespeare writes.
The official Royal Family Instagram account posted a birthday message to the Duke, including two photos.
The first is a black and white snap from when he was a baby and the second a recent picture showing him looking serious in a dark suit.
The caption reads: "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."
Many fans were unimpressed by the message, with some labelling it inappropriate.
Sarah Ferguson also shared a black and white picture on her Instagram page. The casual shot shows Andrew sitting on a sofa looking out the window while stroking a dog.
She writes: "Happy 60th Birthday to Andrew."
In a further blow to Andrew, government buildings will not be required to fly the Union flag to mark his birthday.
A Culture department spokesman said: "Following the decision by the Duke of York to step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, there is no longer a requirement for UK Government buildings to fly the Union flag on Wednesday February 19."
The bells of Westminster Abbey will still ring out in celebration as it is a Royal Peculiar - a place of worship that falls under the jurisdiction of the monarch rather than a bishop.
The abbey also marks the birthdays of the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, their children, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children.
