Zara Tindall has reportedly emerged as a steady source of comfort for her cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, as they navigate the fallout from their parents’ dramatic fall from grace.
Princesses Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, are said to be distraught following the latest release of the Epstein files, which led to the recent arrest of their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The Epstein files, released on January 30, laid bare hundreds of damning emails between the former Duke and Duchess of York and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Ex-Prince Andrew has continuously denied wrongdoing and has since been released under investigation.
However, the Royal Family is seemingly doing everything it can to distance itself from the scandal surrounding the Yorks- and that distancing reportedly now extends to Beatrice and Eugenie.
An insider recently told The Daily Mail that the sisters have been banned from attending any public events this year, and that the Prince and Princess of Wales do not want to be seen in photographs with them.
But away from the glare of royal protocol, Zara- widely regarded as a popular and down-to-earth member of the Firm- is said to have quietly stepped in to support her cousins.
According to Woman’s Day, the 44-year-old daughter of Princess Anne has invited the York sisters- along with their children- for dinners and sleepovers at her home at Gatcombe Park.
It is also understood Zara has taken particular care with Beatrice, whose husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, has been travelling back and forth to the United States for work since the start of the year.
“It is well known that Zara and Mike Tindall have particularly close relations with their cousins Beatrice and Eugenie,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Mail.
The royal cousins, who grew up together, are frequently seen attending family gatherings, most recently appearing side-by-side with their children during the royal family’s Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
However, Fitzwilliams suggested that if tensions within the monarchy escalate further, the Tindalls’ loyalties would likely remain firmly aligned with the Prince and Princess of Wales.
“If it came to choosing, Zara and Mike would naturally support William and Catherine if William should feel the need to oust Beatrice and Eugenie,” the expert told the outlet.
“They (the Tindalls) are independent enough to do as they wish, but nobody should doubt that their loyalty, like that of Zara’s indomitable mother, Princess Anne, is first and foremost to the monarchy at all times.”
This, Fitzwilliams said, comes down to the “sponsorships” both the Tindall’s have as popular sportspeople and public figures.
“Zara relies on several top sponsorships. She is a highly popular equestrian and she and Mike have a special niche in the nation’s hearts as he has a laconic, likeable style as well as being a former rugby captain,” he explained.
“Zara and Mike have cultivated a casual, low-key image, and one can imagine them doing what they want and befriending whom they feel like. However, they are both heavily reliant on the potency of their brands.
“Therefore, their public appearances with the sisters may, depending on what is released, alter or even cease if it is discovered they were unwise or even culpable.”
Like her mother, Zara has not commented publicly on the Yorks’ scandal.
Following ex-Prince Andrew’s arrest, King Charles III expressed his “deep concern” and confirmed that the police have the monarchy’s “full support”.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” the King began his statement.
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.
“In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.skynews.com.au ’
