Rumours have emerged that the daughters of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson are being kept at an arm’s length by the royals, as the Epstein scandal rages on
Since the arrest of their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been keeping a low profile. They have only broken their cover a handful of times, heading out in public with family and friends around them, and have not spoken out on their parents’ indiscretions.
White both sisters are not working royals, they have joined the wider Royal Family for countless events over the years: most recently spending the festive period with King Charles and the family at Sandringham, and joining them for their annual walk to church on Christmas morning. However, since Andrew’s arrest, it seems tides are turning in regards to Beatrice and Eugenie.
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Andrew was arrested on the morning of his 66th birthday last month on the suspicion of misconduct in public office, in relation to allegations that the former prince shared confidential files with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as trade envoy to the UK.
Since his arrest, there have been calls to formally remove the former prince from the line of succession, with some royal watchers believing this removal should also trickle down to his daughters.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were both named in the recent release of documents from the Epstein files, and while the presence of their names does not indicate any wrongdoing, many have started to question what they knew about their parents’ involvement with the late billionaire paedophile.
As a result, rumours have started to emerge that the sisters have been barred from attending upcoming events, such as Easter Sunday in April and Royal Ascot in June. According to a royal source, King Charles believes that having his nieces at such public events would not be good for the Firm’s image during a time of such turmoil.
Speaking of Royal Ascot, the royal insider told the i Paper: “They might attend the races among the crowd but they can’t be seen in the royal carriage procession with all this going on.”
Royal biographer Russell Myers added that while Prince William had previously invited his cousins to help him and his wife Catherine host a garden party at Buckingham Palace, it seems almost certain that this summer he will be following his father’s lead: “He can’t be seen to be acting out of turn against the King,” he said, “and there is no indication that he wants to.”
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror that the best option for Beatrice and Eugenie is to steer clear of major Royal Family outings while the King is still grappling with the fallout from his brother’s arrest. If you can’t see the poll, click here.
Jennie said: “I’m sure the women care about the damage that has been done to the royal family, and it seems to me that the best way to support their uncle and cousins is to keep their distance for the foreseeable future. It might be helpful if they told the King that they are otherwise engaged for Easter and Royal Ascot week, thus relieving him of the dilemma about whether to invite them.
“Like it or not to, they would draw unwelcome press attention to themselves if they were to join the rest of the royals, so it might be better for all involved if they keep a low profile for now.”
According to the Daily Telegraph’s executive editor Camilla Tominey, Beatrice and Eugenie may be feeling let down by the Royal Family amidst the ongoing scandal. Speaking on the Daily T podcast, Camilla said: “I’m not sure the girls feel as supported as they did by the Palace.”
With uncertainty about how much endorsement they currently receive from King Charles, Hannah said: “They’re sort of in this vacuum of suggestions and rumours and questions, but not very many answers for them and that must be frustrating.”
While the calls have intensified for Beatrice and Eugenie to speak out on their parents’ involvement with Epstein, or to renounce their royal titles, a friend of the princesses told the Daily Mail that they still “have a great sense of public duty” despite the situation they find themselves in.
“They were always happy to carry out engagements when asked by their grandmother [Queen Elizabeth] or by other members of the family. They don’t see why they should slope away like criminals when they’ve done nothing wrong,” the friend told the publication.
