Royal biographer Andrew Lownie has asserted that the Royal Family "either know something or suspect something" concerning Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, following reports that the sisters have been barred from attending Royal Ascot this year. This development emerges amidst ongoing controversy surrounding their father, the disgraced former Prince Andrew.
Epstein Files Connection and Royal Distancing
Earlier this month, reports indicated that Beatrice and Eugenie's names appeared in the extensive Epstein files, documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While inclusion in these files does not constitute evidence of wrongdoing, public perception holds significant weight in royal circles. The daughters of Prince Andrew, who denies any misconduct, have been affected by his catastrophic fall from grace, including his arrest last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
A Pattern of Preemptive Action
Andrew Lownie, author of the explosive biography "Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York," shared his perspective during a joint video hosted by The Lownie Report Podcast and Throwing the Book at Them. Presenter James Fairclough noted a recurring pattern over the past six months where the Royal Family has been "taking action before we then find something out." Lownie was invited to comment on Beatrice and Eugenie's anticipated absence from Royal Ascot, which both described as a ban.
Lownie stated, "Well, I think the decision to ban them from Ascot is interesting. The line that they're pushing is that they were never going to go to Ascot in the first place, and it does seem odd to be so public about this distancing. They could have just quietly said to them, 'Listen, you know, please don't turn up'. So, I think it is a very clear indication that the Royal Family either know something or suspect something, and they therefore feel the need to distance themselves from the daughters."
Internal Royal Dynamics and Shifting Power
Lownie suggested that this distancing could stem from pressure within the monarchy. He explained, "Now, this could be pressure from William. Charles may be changing his mind. He has been, of course, very sympathetic to them over the last few months. William, I think, is calling more of the shots now. So there's definitely a change going on, and I get the sense also that there's a bit of distancing even from the Sussexes, clearly from the Waleses."
In final remarks, Lownie alleged that Beatrice and Eugenie are viewed as somewhat "toxic" and "perhaps more involved than people realised," hinting at deeper concerns within the Royal Family. The public nature of their exclusion from Royal Ascot, a key event in the royal calendar, underscores the severity of the situation and the potential for further revelations.
