Prince William's affectionate greeting to Princess Beatrice at Peter Phillips' wedding has revealed the Royal Family's true feelings towards the York sisters, according to a leading royal biographer. Ingrid Seward noted that the warm reception shows Beatrice and Eugenie are 'still in the fold' despite recent controversies surrounding their father, Prince Andrew.
Wedding Gathering Highlights Family Bonds
The wedding of Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne, to Harriet Sperling took place on Saturday, June 6, in the village of Kemble, Gloucestershire. While the day celebrated the bride and groom, royal observers closely watched how Beatrice and Eugenie interacted with their extended family amid revelations about their connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Ingrid Seward, author and Editor-in-Chief of Majesty magazine, said 'all eyes' were on the meeting between Prince William and Beatrice. Writing for The Sun, she remarked: 'His display of familial warmth showed that the sisters are most definitely still in the fold.'
William's Gesture Speaks Volumes
The Prince of Wales was photographed kissing Beatrice on the cheek under an umbrella as they exchanged greetings outside the church before the ceremony. Seward noted that while William is reportedly 'furious' about his uncle Andrew's actions, he and his wife, Princess Catherine, believe 'the sins of the father' should not be visited upon his daughters.
Supporters of Beatrice and Eugenie argue that attending the wedding was a brave move given recent scrutiny. Critics, however, may view their appearance as showing an 'immunity' to public sentiment.
Financial and Legal Context
A recent National Audit Office report revealed that Beatrice and Eugenie live in rent-controlled palace properties funded by their uncle, King Charles III. Their father, Prince Andrew, also receives income from sub-letting cottages on the Royal Lodge estate, where he pays a symbolic rent.
Police are investigating claims that Andrew shared confidential trade information with Epstein during his tenure as UK trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. Detectives may broaden the probe to include allegations of sexual misconduct and have appealed for witnesses. Files from Epstein's estate, released by the US Justice Department, suggest that Beatrice and Eugenie met Epstein for lunch after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.
Family Support Amid Controversy
Seward expressed hope that Beatrice and Eugenie would never exhibit the same shamelessness as their father or be seen as exploiting their royal connections. She highlighted the 'genuine warmth' shown by Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips' sister, towards Beatrice at the wedding.
Prince Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied any wrongdoing regarding Epstein. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing simply for being named in the Epstein files.
