While her father's dramatic fall from royal favour reached its conclusion, Princess Beatrice of York was conducting business in an unlikely location - the opulent yet notorious Ritz-Carlton hotel in Saudi Arabia's capital.
The Riyadh Engagement Amid Family Turmoil
The scene unfolded at the same five-star establishment that gained infamy during Saudi Arabia's 2017 purge, where numerous powerful royals, ministers and business leaders faced detention and alleged mistreatment. Yet last week, the venue hosted a markedly different event: an afternoon tea with Princess Beatrice billed as focusing on women's leadership and wellness.
This prestigious engagement occurred simultaneously with the momentous announcement that her father, Prince Andrew, would be stripped of his princely title and military affiliations. The timing raised eyebrows among royal observers and conference attendees alike.
The Daily Mail learned that Beatrice served as the star attraction at the high-profile Future Investment Initiative, appearing in a long black dress with matching pumps and a black bow in her hair. She was photographed studying her phone intently in the hotel lobby during the days leading up to the palace's decisive action regarding her father.
A Pattern of International Diplomacy
This Saudi appearance represents merely the latest in a series of international engagements where the 37-year-old princess has mingled with global power players, prompting speculation about whether she's unofficially assuming the trade envoy role once performed by her disgraced father.
The pattern extends back to 2008, when the then-19-year-old Beatrice accompanied Andrew on a 14-day tour of Abu Dhabi and Egypt at taxpayer expense. The security detail alone cost approximately £40,000, despite Beatrice performing no public engagements during the trip.
More recently, Beatrice has maintained an active presence in the Middle East. Last November, she spoke about artificial intelligence at the Adipec energy conference in Abu Dhabi and attended a private gathering with UAE minister of industry Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. She was photographed alongside Abu Dhabi crown prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a longtime friend of her father from their Gordonstoun schooldays.
US journalist Hadley Gamble noted that many perceived Beatrice as functioning as an unofficial UK ambassador during these engagements, describing her presence in the inner circles of global energy CEOs, finance leaders and policy makers.
Business Interests and Financial Success
Beyond her diplomatic appearances, Beatrice has cultivated substantial business interests. Earlier this year, she became director of Purpose Economy Intelligence, Ltd., focusing on software development for businesses and management consulting.
Her personal company, BY-EQ (Beatrice York - Emotional Quotient), has demonstrated remarkable financial performance. After reporting modest profits of £39,000 in its first year, the company's earnings surged to nearly £500,000 in 2024. After expenses of £214,615, Beatrice retained £274,846 in accumulated profits - an impressive result for a company with just one director and no employees.
The princess also lists herself as strategic advisor at US tech giant Afiniti, having previously served as vice-president. Her husband, Italian Count Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, maintains his own property businesses with operations in London, New York, Sydney and Dubai.
One conference attendee remarked that nobody would have blamed Beatrice for cancelling her Saudi appearance given the family circumstances, but noted her determination to proceed with the event earned respect among participants.
The women-only afternoon tea in the Ritz-Carlton's Executive Lounge remained private, though invitations promised insights into investing in women, wellness and future leaders. The event was co-hosted with Canadian wellness entrepreneur Ruma Bose and the US-based Lioness Collective organisation.
As the York sisters navigate their evolving roles within the royal framework while maintaining independent business careers, Beatrice's Riyadh appearance signals a potential new chapter in royal trade diplomacy, even as questions remain about whether she represents UK interests or primarily advances her own professional ambitions.
