Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have reportedly been banned from joining the monarch at Royal Ascot, sparking a bombshell moment on The Jeremy Vine Show as panellists clashed over the royals' exclusion.
Royal Ascot Exclusion
According to reports, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, have been informed they will not take their seats in the Royal Box at the prestigious June racing fixture, nor participate in the traditional Royal Procession alongside senior members of the monarchy. The move reportedly forms part of a broader effort to limit the sisters' involvement in high-profile public engagements amid the controversy surrounding their father, Prince Andrew, and his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Jeremy Vine Show Spat
Channel 5 presenter Jeremy Vine was joined on Wednesday's edition of his self-titled show by Reform UK's Ann Widdecombe and presenter Richard Bacon. While discussing the papers, they addressed the royals' grand appearance as Royal Ascot began. The Princess of Wales made her first Royal Ascot appearance since her cancer diagnosis this week, joining Prince William, King Charles, and Queen Camilla at the event.
As they addressed Princess Kate's appearance, Richard commented on Princess Eugenie, saying, "I know her, Eugenie. I think she is terrific." In a cheeky on-air spat, Jeremy interjected: "Hang on... do you want to go there?" The TV host referenced emails released in February indicating that the sisters had visited Epstein following his release from jail in 2009. However, sources close to the royals refuted direct-meeting claims.
Richard hit out, "That doesn't alter the person that I met and spent time with." Ann scolded Jeremy, saying: "Shh... let [Richard] speak." Richard reiterated: "My instinct is I like her as a person. I don't see her very often but I have spent time with her."
Jeremy commented: "I think celebrities praising other celebrities being nice is in a way saying, 'Don't look here. Take it from me she's nice. Nothing to see here.'" Ann stated: "He [Richard] hasn't said that!"
Broader Context
The comments come after Andrew was reportedly banned from attending Garter Day, an event the former duke attended annually. The ex-Duke of York was a member of the Order and previously attended Garter Day either publicly or privately. Meanwhile, sources have claimed the sisters were "blindsided" after being uninvited to Royal Ascot. Speaking to the Mail On Sunday, an insider said: "I've spoken to my friend who works at Ascot and they said the girls have been told they can't be there this year. Beatrice has taken it the hardest. She's been completely blindsided by all of this."
