Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have withdrawn from public appearances temporarily following their father, Prince Andrew’s decision to relinquish his royal titles. The royal sisters were expected to attend an event at the British Museum but were notably absent.
Prince Andrew made the announcement on Friday to give up his Duke of York title and other honors due to the intense scrutiny he faced regarding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, accused Andrew of assaulting her in 2001 when she was 17, an allegation he vehemently denies.
A recently uncovered email allegedly shows Andrew telling Epstein they were “in this together,” contradicting his previous claim of cutting contact with Epstein in 2010. Amid escalating media coverage, Andrew stated that the ongoing accusations against him detract from the royal family’s work, prompting his decision to renounce his titles.
Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife, has also been implicated in a scandal involving financial transactions with Epstein. The princesses, Beatrice and Eugenie, are facing a challenging period amidst the controversies surrounding their parents, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.
The news signifies a setback for the princesses, who reportedly aimed to advance to higher positions within the Royal Family. Additionally, insights from a former royal butler shed light on Princess Eugenie’s private character, describing her as kind and gentle.
Eugenie resides with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, in Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace, while Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, live in a £3.5 million Cotswolds residence. Despite their close ties with their parents, the sisters are focused on establishing their own identities as young, working royal women.
Contrary opinions have surfaced, suggesting that Beatrice and Eugenie had privileged childhoods and were detached from reality. Reports indicate that the princesses opted for careers over traditional royal duties, a decision attributed to them and their father. Andrew emphasized that it was their choice to pursue independent paths.