Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice are said to have been ‘blindsided’ after being told they won’t be coming to the Royal Ascot – a ‘frosty’ moment at the racecourse from a previous year has resurfaced
A ‘frosty’ moment between Kate, Princess of Wales and Princess Beatrice has resurfaced in the wake of the Epstein scandal.
Beatrice and Eugenie are said to have been “blindsided” by the reported decision to exclude them from the Royal Ascot this year amid the wave of new allegations about their father, Andrew – though some commentators believe this is not the first time tensions have appeared between the York children and the rest of The Firm.
In images from the five-day event in 2017, Kate was seen deep in conversation with Zara Tindall, while Prince William chatted with Mike Tindall in the background.
But there appeared to be distinct shift in dynamic when Princess Beatrice approached the group.
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Kate seemed to fall silent, while William seemingly adjusted his posture to create a subtle physical barrier between his cousin and the rest of the party.
Body language analyst Judi James told the Daily Mail: “Kate’s ‘acceptance’ of Beatrice into her social group of three looks flimsy and even a little frosty here, hinting at a degree of distancing that pre-dated most of the recent strain of the Epstein scandal.”
However, one expert has suggested that Beatrice and Eugenie may have made the decision to stay away from the Royal Ascot in June themselves to avoid creating unwanted attention for the rest of the Royal Family.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror : “I’m sure the women care about the damage that has been done to the royal family, and it seems to me that the best way to support their uncle and cousins is to keep their distance for the foreseeable future.
“It might be helpful if they told the King that they are otherwise engaged for Easter and Royal Ascot week, thus relieving him of the dilemma about whether to invite them.
“Like it or not to, they would draw unwelcome press attention to themselves if they were to join the rest of the royals, so it might be better for all involved if they keep a low profile for now.”
Beatrice, 37, and 35-year-old Eugenie have kept themselves largely out of the spotlight since Andrew’s arrest last month, though both have since been spotted around London as they attempt to carry on their lives as normal.
Beatrice was spotted walking in the capital with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and a group of friends last week, marking her first appearance in the aftermath of the dramatic police raid on Andrew’s 66th birthday.
Eugenie, was meanwhile seen clutching a drink and a sandwich after visiting the popular chain Joe & The Juice.
