scandal-hit Duke of York is being kept away from Prince ­William and Kate ­Middleton in the run-up to their wedding... on Wills’ orders.

He and his advisers are ­furious that revelations about his uncle Prince Andrew, 51, are ­threatening to overshadow preparations for the big day.

William met advisers this week to discuss the crisis over the Duke’s friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and links with ­brutal rulers and shady tycoons.

Now discreet steps are being taken to ensure Wills, 28, and Kate, 29, do not attend any events with Andrew before the April 29 Westminster Abbey wedding.

William is also ­expected to volunteer for flight duty with his RAF squadron on Easter Sunday – meaning he will miss the ­Royal Family gathering.

An insider said: ­“William’s advisers are furious – they feel the scandal has become a huge distraction from the wedding. A huge amount of work has gone into planning the ­wedding which was a chance to relaunch the monarchy on the world stage. The Duke’s problems have jeopardised that – the air of corruption is ­reminiscent of the scandals that have dogged the Windsors in the past.

“There is not much sympathy for him in William’s camp ­because he sparked the whole thing by allowing himself to be photographed with Epstein – a paedophile – a massive error of ­judgement. Keeping William away from Andrew before the wedding is the least they can do to prevent the ‘Kate and William brand’ from being contaminated by the Duke.