Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are facing what has been described as the toughest decision of their lives this Christmas, as they weigh whether to spend the holiday with their parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, after a year of scandal linked to financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Under normal circumstances, the sisters would have taken their children and husbands to their parents' 30-room Royal Lodge at Windsor to celebrate with an enormous Christmas tree and fond memories of childhood. But the past 12 months have been far from normal for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson.
A year of fallout from the Epstein affair
Since revelations about the couple's enduring relationship with Epstein, who was convicted for procuring a child for sex, the House of York's public image has crumbled. Both maintained their friendships with Epstein even after his conviction.
The couple lost their Duke and Duchess of York titles, Ferguson had her ties cut with a number of charities, Andrew was stripped of honorary military titles, and at the start of the year both quit Royal Lodge. While Ferguson went to ground at a Swiss chalet for most of winter and spring, Andrew moved into a cottage on the King's Sandringham Estate. Ferguson has since moved into a new home in the UK.
The dilemma of where to spend Christmas
Last year, the sisters, their children and husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank spent Yuletide with the Royal Family at Sandringham in Norfolk. On Christmas morning, Beatrice and Eugenie were seen walking to the service at St Mary Magdalene church with Kate, William, King Charles and Queen Camilla.
This year, they face pressure not to snub both parents again. A palace insider previously told RadarOnline that the siblings' loyalty to Ferguson outweighs their sympathy for their father, adding: "Beatrice and Eugenie hold Andrew largely responsible for the family's predicament and fear spending Christmas together could expose the divisions between their parents."
The insider said the sisters are now facing "an absolute minefield" when it comes to Christmas, and it is taking all the excitement out of what should be a wonderful time of year.
A situation of their parents' making
If the sisters visit one parent, they shine the media spotlight on the other. Both parents, in their own ways, have spectacularly failed their children, the article argues. Ferguson was so enraptured with Epstein's wealth that she once asked him to marry her, while Andrew was seemingly willingly snared in Epstein's web.
Beatrice and Eugenie are now in an invidious position, a situation of their parents' making. The sisters will be praying a huge snow shower traps both parents in their respective houses, allowing them to stay at home all Christmas instead.
