Princess Beatrice and Eugenie's Life in Exile as Royals Bar Them from Four Events
With both of their parents now firmly outside the royal fold, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie face a similar 'exile,' and several key royal events this summer will provide a clue to their futures. Less than three months ago, the princesses spent Christmas at Sandringham with the rest of the Royal Family. However, in the wake of their father's arrest, their mother's flight from the UK, and the emergence of further damaging details of their family's association with wealthy sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, things appear to have changed dramatically.
King's Changing Stance on the Princesses
According to a recent report, His Majesty the King has come to believe that welcoming the two princesses to any future public events might not be the best thing for The Firm's image. While the King's younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has consistently denied all allegations against him, and His Majesty initially appeared to believe the princesses were blameless, opinions seem to be shifting behind the scenes. In the most recent batch of files connected to the Epstein investigation, both Beatrice and Eugenie's names crop up frequently – with Eugenie mentioned more than 300 times. While the presence of any one person's name in the vast cache of documents is not evidence of wrongdoing, in the world of the royals, appearance is everything.
Four Key Events as a Litmus Test
There are several significant events on the royal calendar over the next few months that will serve as a litmus test for the two princesses' future standing within the Royal Family. These include:
- The Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
- The Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel in Windsor
- Any of the three Royal Garden Parties scheduled for May
- The traditional carriage procession at Royal Ascot in June
Were Beatrice and Eugenie to be seen at any of these events, it would send a message that they are still considered unsullied by the scandals surrounding their parents. However, according to royal watchers, the signs are not good. One royal source told The i newspaper that while Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, might attend Royal Ascot privately, they were unlikely to be part of the traditional pomp and ceremony ahead of each racing day.
William and Catherine's Stance
Royal biographer Russell Myers added that while Prince William had invited his cousins to help him and his wife Catherine host a garden party at Buckingham Palace, it seems almost certain this summer he will be following his father's lead. 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.
Growing Isolation Within the Family
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. This includes taking a 'tougher' approach on Beatrice and Eugenie. There is no current expectation that either princess will be present at the Commonwealth Day service on 9 March or the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June. The Mirror has contacted both Buckingham Palace and representatives for Princess Beatrice and Eugenie in connection with this story but has yet to receive a reply.
