In a public display of familial loyalty, Princess Beatrice has shown support for her disgraced father, Prince Andrew, by joining him for a horse ride around the historic Windsor Estate. The 65-year-old Duke of York was spotted on horseback at Windsor Castle, accompanied by his elder daughter Beatrice and her four-year-old daughter, Sienna. The trio were observed in the Royal Mews before proceeding out into the expansive grounds of Home Park for their leisurely excursion.
A Divided Royal Response
Photographic evidence from the outing depicts a sombre-looking Andrew riding ahead, while Beatrice walked alongside young Sienna and a royal groom. The group spent over forty-five minutes meandering through the estate's picturesque landscapes. It is further understood that Beatrice took the opportunity to visit her father at his soon-to-be former residence, Royal Lodge, reinforcing her ongoing connection with him.
This supportive gesture stands in stark contrast to the actions of her sister, Princess Eugenie. According to sources speaking to the Daily Mail, Eugenie has completely severed ties with her father. The 35-year-old princess is reportedly refusing to communicate with Andrew and notably did not visit him during the recent Christmas period. This estrangement is said to have followed months of further damaging revelations last year concerning Andrew's association with the convicted paedophile financier, Jeffrey Epstein.
The Source of the Rift
The breakdown in Andrew's relationship with his younger daughter is reportedly causing him significant distress. Eugenie is understood to be deeply unhappy with her father's persistent refusal to issue a formal apology to Epstein's victims. This position is particularly poignant given that Eugenie herself co-founded The Anti-Slavery Collective, an organisation dedicated to combating sex trafficking and modern slavery.
A source characterised the rift as absolute, stating, 'There is no contact at all, nothing. It's Brooklyn Beckham level – she has completely cut him off.' In comparison, Beatrice is described as having adopted a more nuanced and careful approach. She is maintaining contact with her father while simultaneously safeguarding her own standing and reputation within the wider Royal Family framework.
Family Occasions and Ongoing Tensions
This careful balancing act was evident last month when Beatrice invited Andrew to the christening of her 11-month-old daughter, Athena, in London. However, he did not attend the subsequent celebration held at a local pub. It remains unclear whether any communication occurred between Eugenie and her father during these family celebrations.
The timing of this familial schism is particularly humiliating for Andrew as he prepares to vacate Royal Lodge, his Windsor home of more than two decades. Removals vehicles were recently sighted at the property as he began the arduous task of sorting through decades of accumulated belongings.
An Uncertain Future and Growing Isolation
Andrew is expected to relocate to a temporary property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk in the coming weeks. This interim move precedes the anticipated completion of renovations at Marsh Farm, his designated new home, around the Easter period. He was reportedly advised to remain in London over Christmas to avoid proximity to senior royals who were celebrating the festive season at Sandringham.
Both Beatrice and Eugenie faced a difficult decision regarding their Christmas arrangements but ultimately attended the royal family's traditional Christmas Day church service in Norfolk. They subsequently joined the wider family gathering at Sandringham, having received an invitation from King Charles, who is said to be keen to protect the princesses from the ongoing fallout.
Concern is mounting among the small circle still close to both Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. Sources indicate that Ferguson has been prone to daily emotional outbursts, while Andrew's ever-shrinking social circle has left him profoundly demoralised. His impending move to Norfolk is expected to exacerbate this sense of isolation.
Practical and Personal Challenges
Amid heightened concerns for his mental wellbeing, police authorities reportedly revoked Andrew's firearms licence late last year. His gun collection was removed for safekeeping at other royal properties. As he prepares for his relocation within the next fortnight, practical challenges persist. Marsh Farm is described as far from ready, with builders still actively carrying out necessary work.
'He'll probably have to live in Sandringham House until Marsh Farm is finished,' a source revealed. Furthermore, the small staff employed at Royal Lodge, including a butler, chef, gardener, and housekeepers, are being made redundant on reportedly generous terms, as they are unwilling to relocate to Norfolk. Andrew is expected to maintain only a skeleton staff at his new, more isolated residence.
Adding to the concerns, Marsh Farm's location presents its own challenges. The property sits on a flood plain below sea level. Nearby residents are advised to register for Environment Agency alerts due to the potential risk of flood defences failing against water from a nearby bog and the North Sea, which lies just a mile away. This move symbolises a significant downgrade from his long-term Windsor home, reflecting his diminished status within the monarchy and his increasingly precarious personal circumstances.
