Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Excluded from Royal Ascot Amid Epstein Scandal
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been informed they cannot attend Royal Ascot this year, as the Royal Family distances itself from the unfolding scandal involving the House of York and their associations with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. According to sources, the sisters, whose names feature multiple times in the Epstein files, will be barred from the Royal Box and the traditional Royal Procession at the prestigious horse-racing event in June.
Palace Decision Blindsides the Princesses
The decision has reportedly "completely blindsided" Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, who are already grappling with the arrest of their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This move is part of a broader strategy to exclude the princesses from all public-facing royal events for the foreseeable future, following high-level Palace meetings about their roles.
Serious questions persist regarding the extent of their relationship with Epstein, including financial links. A well-placed source revealed, "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."
Royal Distancing and Photographic Bans
Prince William is said to have advised other royals not to appear in photographs alongside Beatrice and Eugenie "for the rest of the year," indicating the Palace's concern that any perception of the sisters advancing their interests by ignoring the source of the Yorks' fortune poses a significant risk to the wider family. Another source added, "Ascot would be out of the question because the royals have been told they can't have pictures with the girls for the rest of the year."
Exclusion from Royal Ascot is particularly painful for the princesses, as it was a favourite event of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the Royal Procession—a ceremonial tradition since 1825—sees senior royals arrive in carriages. Traditionally, participants stay at Windsor Castle the night before and dine with the family, making attendance impossible unless they go merely as members of the Royal Enclosure.
Financial Concerns and Charity Scrutiny
Concerns about the princesses' possible financial ties to Epstein have intensified in recent months. They visited Epstein in Florida days after his 2009 release from jail for prostituting minors. Prince William reportedly expressed frustration that his cousins declined his suggestion to subject their personal investments to an "ethics check."
The Palace is aware that Andrew and his business associates acted as financial advisers to Beatrice and Eugenie, with sources noting "no one is quite sure what might not be entirely above board." Additionally, the Charity Commission is assessing concerns about Eugenie's charity, The Anti-Slavery Collective, which reported an income of £92,311 last year but expenditures of £301,024, largely on salaries.
Support from Unexpected Quarters
Despite the distancing, there is said to be "a lot of sympathy for the girls" among the public. Support has also come from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Montecito, with rumours suggesting Harry has invited Beatrice to use his £11 million home as a refuge. A source explained, "Harry has communicated with the girls, saying something along the lines of, 'He knows what it's like to be at the wrong end of the institution.' He's said there's an open invite, especially for Beatrice, if she ever wants one."
Royal commentators have raised questions about Beatrice's finances, noting her lavish lifestyle in 2015—including 15 holidays—despite earning only £19,000 as a junior employee at Sony Music. The Epstein files also revealed Beatrice advised her mother on reconciling with Epstein and encouraged her father's disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview.
Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, and Royal Ascot have all declined to comment on the matter.
