Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie reportedly shared a very emotional moment that was telling of their bond amid ongoing scandal surrounding their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
As more emerges about Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s relationship with the criminal financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the two sisters have appeared to be shouldering the burden together.
Princess Beatrice issues ‘hopeless warning’ to Eugenie amid Andrew scandal
In November last year, Beatrice and Eugenie were spotted on the streets of London as the scandal surrounding their parents rumbled on.
“It’s going to get harder,” Beatrice reportedly told Eugenie, according to lip reader Nicola Hickling, who analysed footage published by The Sun. “We can’t do anything.”
Despite the weight of their conversation, Beatrice reportedly attempted to comfort her sister.
The 37-year-old was seen gently consoling Eugenie, who responded: “Everything is changing.”
Beatrice agreed it was a “really anxious time”.
Hickling also claims Beatrice reassured Eugenie: “We’re in this together, don’t forget that.”
It’s unclear, however, if they were referring to the scandal surrounding their parents.
The sisters ended their walk with a serious exchange on a London street corner and a long embrace before parting ways. Beatrice wore a long black wool coat, while Eugenie was dressed similarly in a tan version.
This global scrutiny against their parents has been reignited further as last week, more than three million files relating to Epstein and his crimes were released by the US Department of Justice.
Within these files, images appeared to show Andrew kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman lying on the ground.
In two of the images, he is seen touching the person, who is fully clothed, on her stomach. Another image shows him staring at the camera.
No context has been supplied for the images. It’s also unclear when and where they were taken
Andrew has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Being named or pictured among the Epstein files is not an indication of wrongdoing.
He has even downplayed his friendship with Epstein.
Allegations against Andrew
Andrew has also faced allegations of sexual assault.
Virginia Giuffre alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew when she was just 17.
Andrew has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.
Although Andrew reached a financial out-of-court settlement with Ms Giuffre in 2022, repeated that the settlement did not mean any liability or admission of guilt.
Still, the damage to his public standing has been irrevocable. In a dramatic move, King Charles stripped Andrew of his remaining titles and honours last year, following sustained pressure on the monarchy to draw a hard line.
‘It’s been very, very difficult’
According to the Daily Mail, it was Andrew’s daughters that ultimately convinced him to step back from royal life.
He reportedly agreed to relinquish his titles and vacate Royal Lodge in Windsor in order to shield Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie from further fallout.
“It was made clear to Andrew that, while his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, would also lose her title, there would be no action taken against their daughters,” the outlet reported.
King Charles is said to have personally assured Andrew that his daughters would not lose their royal status.
Meanwhile, royal biographer Ingrid Seward believes King Charles is actively trying to support his nieces through this storm.
“I think that Charles feels quite responsible for these two girls,” she told The Sun.
“I know they’ve got supportive husbands, but they’ve both got young children, and I think it’s been very, very difficult.”
Alissa Anderson, the former press secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth, echoed this sentiment in an interview with PEOPLE. She stated that the loss of their father’s titles and status will carry long-term emotional consequences.
“Even though they keep their titles, the ripple effect will have consequences for the rest of their lives,” she said.
Meanwhile, Andrew has endured another blow, as he has reportedly left Royal Lodge, as he awaits the renovation of his alleged new abode, Marsh Farm.
Royal Insider has contacted Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s representatives for comment.
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