The downfall of the former prince Andrew has left the British monarchy with a right royal headache \u2014 how to handle his daughters caught up in the scandal of U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.<\/a><\/p>\n The uncertain future of Princesses Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 36, the children of Mr. Andrew \u2014 now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor \u2014 and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, has filled the British press in recent weeks.<\/p>\n Mr. Andrew, the second of the late Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s three sons and brother to King Charles III, was arrested in mid-February amid new revelations of his ties to the late billionaire Epstein<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n He was questioned for hours at a police station on suspicion of misconduct in public office during his decade-long role as a U.K. trade envoy. Mr. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing, and has not been charged,<\/a> but remains under police caution.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can now also confirm that we are providing early investigative advice to Thames Valley Police in relation to Mr. Andrew\u201d, prosecutors told AFP<\/i> on Thursday (April 2, 2026).<\/p>\n Mr. Andrew was stripped of his royal titles<\/a> in October by the King amid the growing scandal around Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.<\/p>\n And while his daughters are not active members of the royal family, Buckingham Palace has made it clear they retain their titles as Princesses.<\/p>\n They have always been seen as close to the king\u2019s two sons, heir Prince William and Prince Harry, and were part of the royal family\u2019s inner circle.<\/p>\n In December, they attended the family\u2019s traditional Christmas church service on the eastern Sandringham estate even though their parents were not invited.<\/p>\n But the two women and their young families were not present at Windsor last weekend for the traditional Easter gathering, a royal source confirmed to AFP<\/i>.<\/p>\n The two had made alternative plans, but will be seen at future family celebrations, the source added.<\/p>\n \u201cThey want to avoid any association with them, as the York brand has become toxic,\u201d said royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.<\/p>\n New emails released in January showed Andrew remained in contact with Epstein long after the American\u2019s conviction for trafficking and sex with a minor.<\/p>\n He also appeared to have shared sensitive U.K. information with Epstein such as trade documents.<\/p>\n The documents also revealed the extent of the ties between Epstein and Ferguson, with the Princesses\u2019 names appearing in numerous emails, although there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by them.<\/p>\n In one of the documents, Epstein writes that \u201cFerg and the two girls\u201d came to visit him, less than a week after he was freed from prison in 2009, following a conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.<\/p>\n In light of these new revelations \u201chard questions will need to be asked\u201d, said royal expert Ed Owens.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it is shown that they have benefited from an elite network, that was partially introduced to them by Jeffrey Epstein… this is problematic,\u201d said Mr. Owens.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/d3xgpu\/article70571704.ece\/alternates\/SQUARE_80\/Justice_Department_Jeffrey_Epstein_14041.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u2018Elite network\u2019<\/h4>\n