King Charles's decision to exclude Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie from this weekend's Easter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor has drawn criticism from royal biographer Andrew Lownie, who argues that the Royal Family is repeating the mistakes made with their father, Prince Andrew.
Lownie, writing on his Substack, claims the palace is sending 'mixed signals' about the York sisters. While they have been banned from Royal Ascot and Easter events, they have been invited to other engagements. He suggests this inconsistency may stem from a power struggle between the King and an increasingly dominant Prince William.
In contrast, Prince Andrew remains entirely ostracised and is expected to spend Easter alone in his Sandringham quarters. Last year, he and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson attended the Easter service with the King and Queen. The Prince and Princess of Wales were absent, having spent the weekend in Norfolk.
Sarah Ferguson has also vanished from public view, reportedly 'sofa surfing' at the homes of friends. She was last seen in public on 12 December 2025 at the christening of her granddaughter. Royal expert Matt Wilkinson noted she had visited Northern Ireland, a spa, and Verbier, staying in a chalet lent by former boyfriend Paddy McNally.
Despite their mother's troubles, Beatrice and Eugenie were reportedly in good spirits at a recent Cotswolds gathering, according to Vogue writer Plum Sykes.
