Just three months ago, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie spent Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham – but things look very different as another holiday approaches
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have nearly always been permanent fixtures at Royal Family get-togethers. The daughters of shamed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have often been seen at family events with the likes of the King and Prince and Princess of Wales – despite the recent downfall of their father.
Just three months ago at Christmas, the two women were seen on the walk to church in Sandringham, both with their husbands. But fast forward to the present day, and things are looking very different. Both are understood to be angered over Buckingham Palace ’s unwillingness to back them publicly, after details emerged linking them to the late convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.
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It emerged earlier this year from the so-called Epstein Files, part of the three million documents released by the US state department in January, that the sisters had accompanied their mother Sarah Ferguson to the United States to meet Epstein.
Just days earlier, he had been released from prison in 2009 for soliciting a minor for prostitution. The princesses were 19 and 20 years old at the time. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by either Beatrice or Eugenie.
It has been claimed that William in particular, is keen to distance himself from his cousins, with reports also suggesting they will not attend Royal Ascot in June. But next week, will see the Royal Family celebrate Easter – a time when there is nearly always a big gathering for the traditional Easter Sunday church service in Windsor.
And royal expert Jennie Bond believes this year’s service could say a lot about the Firm’s stance towards Beatrice and Eugenie. She told the Mirror : “We’ve yet to see proof that William and Kate and the other royals are in fact distancing themselves from Beatrice and Eugenie — Easter will be telling.
“But I have no doubt that William is extremely sensitive to public opinion and he will do what is necessary to listen and to protect the reputation of the monarchy.”
Last month, their father Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and has since holed himself up on the Sandringham estate, only being spotted once walking his dogs.
Meanwhile, their mother, Sarah Ferguson, who has not been seen in public for six months, is now facing calls to testify in the United States about what she knew about Epstein.
While the King invited both Beatrice and Eugenie to his Sandringham estate at Christmas, to spend the festive period with the extended royal family, their invitation and acceptance was seen as a bold statement of support from the King who had sympathy for their plight. However, royal sources suggest the situation has now changed drastically.
The source added: “The sisters are extremely unhappy. They feel they have been left out in the cold. They aren’t being supported by Buckingham Palace and are certainly concerned they will lose their titles and privileges as a result of their parents’ conduct.”
