Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are reportedly facing inner turmoil as they 'finally question' their parents' actions following the ongoing scandal surrounding Prince Andrew. The sisters have watched their father face a string of lurid allegations linked to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which Andrew denies.
Last week, both Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson agreed to relinquish their Duke and Duchess of York titles, and the couple are now on the brink of leaving their Royal Lodge home amid mounting pressure over Andrew's lease deal. Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, have largely kept a low profile, with only Beatrice seen visiting her parents at Royal Lodge earlier this week.
Royal expert Jennie Bond told the Mirror that the sisters must now be questioning why their parents continued their association with Epstein for so long. 'Beatrice must look back and think how strange that they invited a man like that to her 18th birthday party,' Bond said, noting that Epstein was arrested eight days later. 'They must wonder why their mother reportedly took them to New York to meet Epstein when he came out of prison.'
Despite their parents losing titles and honours, Beatrice and Eugenie remain princesses and are still welcome at family events, according to Bond. However, with Andrew and Fergie likely excluded from Christmas and Easter gatherings, the sisters face a 'huge test of loyalties.' Bond added: 'Beatrice and Eugenie must be so conflicted. The King has made it clear that they are still welcome... but the girls obviously love their parents.'
Bond believes the crisis has 'finally closed the door' on any possibility of the sisters taking on official working royal roles. 'I have never thought that they were going to be given official roles as working Royals, but I think this latest crisis has finally closed the door on that possibility,' she said.
