Less than three months ago, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie spent Christmas at Sandringham with the rest of the Royal Family. But following their father’s arrest, their mother’s departure from the UK and the revelation of further damaging details regarding their family’s links with wealthy sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, circumstances appear to have shifted. According to a recent report, His Majesty the King has come to believe that inviting the two princesses to any future public occasions might not be in The Firm’s best interests.
Whilst the King’s younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,has consistently denied all allegations against him, and His Majesty initially appeared to consider the princesses innocent of any misconduct, attitudes seem to be shifting behind closed doors. In the latest batch of documents related to the Epstein investigation, both Beatrice and Eugenie’s names appear frequently – Eugenie is reportedly mentioned more than 300 times. Although the inclusion of any individual’s name in the extensive collection of papers is not itself proof of wrongdoing, in the realm of royalty, perception is paramount.
Several significant occasions on the royal calendar over the coming months will act as a litmus test for the two princesses’ future positions within the Royal Family. These include the Commonwealth Day service, taking place in a few days at Westminster Abbey; the Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor next month; any of the three Royal Garden Parties planned for May; and the customary carriage procession at the start of each day of Royal Ascot in June.
Should Beatrice and Eugenie appear at any of these occasions, it would signal that they are seen as untouched by the controversies that have engulfed their parents. However, according to royal observers, the indications are not encouraging.
One royal source told The i newspaper that while Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, might attend Royal Ascot privately, they were unlikely to participate in the ceremonial proceedings before each day’s racing: “They might attend the races among the crowd but they can’t be seen in the royal carriage procession with all this going on.”
There is currently no expectation that either princess will be present at the Commonwealth Day service on 9 March or at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June.
Royal biographer Russell Myers noted that although Prince William had previously invited his cousins to assist him and his wife Catherine in hosting a garden party at Buckingham Palace, it appears almost inevitable that this summer he will follow his father’s example: “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.”
According to the Mail on Sunday, the Prince and Princess of Wales are now determined to keep Beatrice and Eugenie “at arm’s length” at least “for the rest of the year.” The Sunday Times reports that the Prince and Princess of Wales had been “careful” to avoid being alongside the princesses as far back as Christmas Day at Sandringham.
Royal biographer Andrew Lownie, whose bestselling book Entitled at least in part precipitated the fall of the House of York, told People magazine that while the King maintains a sentimental affection for his nieces, William is keen to draw a line under the whole affair, and that includes taking a “tougher” approach on Beatrice and Eugenie.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
