Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are reportedly feeling particularly vulnerable lately after what has been a challenging few months for their family.
The York sisters, as well as their parents Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson, have been shrouded in controversy after being mentioned multiple times in files on Jeffrey Epstein released in the United States.
The former Duke of York was also arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and remains under investigation.
Scrutiny surrounding the ex-Prince culminated in his youngest daughter Eugenie – who is currently pregnant with her third child – being confronted by a member of the public in central London in March.
Reports said the man heckled her and made comments about her father, which prompted the princess to hide out in a nearby building before calling the royal protection team.
“The incident really shook Eugenie up and left her feeling scared – it still haunts her,” an insider told Heatworld, adding there is a “genuine concern for her safety” since she lost her security years ago.
Eugenie’s frightening run-in has also had an impact on her sister Beatrice, the publication added.
“Beatrice and Eugenie are living in a constant state of anxiety and fearing for their lives. They’re always looking over their shoulders and questioning people’s motives. There is a fear that someone could target them because of who their father is,” one source told the outlet.
According to Heatworld, one key royal has shown particular concern for Eugenie following the frightening ordeal, even contacting her to offer support.
“Kate really felt for Eugenie and reached out to her. She knows what it is like to live under intense public scrutiny and she feels desperately sorry for both Eugenie and Beatrice,” the insider said.
It comes after a royal biographer claimed senior royals could not decide what to do with Eugenie and Beatrice, as well as their parents, in the wake of the renewed scrutiny.
Andrew Lownie – author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York – told Woman’s Day earlier this month King Charles and Prince William are at odds over what to do about the York sisters and their mum, dubbing it “a problem” within the family.
Beatrice and Eugenie are said to be excluded from some royal events, such as the Ascot Races, but invited to others, such as Peter Phillips’ wedding earlier this month.
This is causing a “yo-yo” effect for the pair, who swing in and out of the royal fold, Lownie says.
“One moment they’re going to things and the next they’re cut out,” the expert told Woman’s Day, adding their constant drifting in and out of favour is a “fight” between the senior royals.
According to Lownie, the dilemma sees Prince William on one side and King Charles on the other.
“Charles is a bit weaker and thinks: ‘Oh well, that you know the girls can’t be blamed, they’re okay’,” Lownie explained.
Merely being mentioned in the Epstein files does not indicate any wrongdoing.
‘ 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 ’
