An overwhelming majority of Mirror readers believe Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie should lose their royal titles amid the ongoing Epstein scandal enveloping their parents, according to a recent poll. Out of over 12,000 respondents, 56 per cent (6,885) said the sisters should be stripped of their titles, while 42 per cent (5,221) thought they should keep them. Just 2 per cent were unsure.
The poll comes after their father, Prince Andrew, was stripped of his titles and forced to vacate Royal Lodge last October. King Charles clarified at the time that his nieces would remain unaffected, but calls for them to renounce their titles have intensified as Andrew faces a Thames Valley Police investigation into misconduct in public office. Beatrice and Eugenie have kept a low profile since their father's arrest in February.
Royal commentators are divided on the issue. PR consultant Kayley Cornelius argued that giving up titles could backfire, suggesting guilt or wrongdoing. Conversely, royal biographer Andrew Lownie said they should renounce their titles, accusing them of using their royal status to advance business ventures. Lownie noted that Princess Beatrice often uses her HRH title when promoting businesses in the Middle East.
Both sisters were named in the Epstein files, though their names' presence does not imply wrongdoing. Many have called for them to speak out about their parents' dealings with the convicted sex offender. A family friend told People magazine that the sisters are desperate to hold onto their titles, calling it “their identity.”
