Fresh reports of a deep and painful rift within the Royal Family have emerged, with sources claiming Princess Eugenie has completely cut off contact with her father, Prince Andrew. The estrangement is said to be a direct consequence of the ongoing scandal linking the Duke of York to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A Father 'Devastated' by Silence
According to insiders speaking to the Mail on Sunday, the communication breakdown between Andrew and his youngest daughter is total. "There is no contact at all, nothing," a source stated, dramatically comparing the situation to the well-publicised estrangement of Brooklyn Beckham from his father, David. The source added, "It’s Brooklyn Beckham level – she has completely cut him off."
The situation has left Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his royal and military titles in October last year, reportedly 'devastated'. The loss of contact with Eugenie is understood to have been compounded by a lonely Christmas, during which neither Eugenie nor her elder sister, Princess Beatrice, visited him.
Navigating a Royal Tightrope
The two sisters appear to be handling the fraught family dynamics differently. While both joined other royals at Sandringham for Christmas, snubbing their father's company, their private approaches vary. Sources indicate that Princess Beatrice is attempting to "walk the fine line" of maintaining some connection with her father while preserving her close ties to the wider Royal Family.
However, the same delicate balance is not being sought by Princess Eugenie. "They aren't exactly in regular and close contact at the moment, but Eugenie isn't trying to walk that line. She's not speaking to him," the source confirmed. This decisive action underscores the profound personal impact the Epstein scandal continues to have on Andrew's immediate family.
The Lingering Shadow of Scandal
The estrangement stems directly from Prince Andrew's association with the late financier and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Despite settling a civil sexual assault case out of court in 2022, the damage to Andrew's reputation and relationships appears irreversible within the royal fold. His removal from public life and the loss of his 'His Royal Highness' style were pivotal moments that have now filtered down to his most personal bonds.
This family fracture presents yet another challenge for a monarchy still navigating the aftermath of the Duke of York's disgrace and the wider tensions following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure. The situation highlights how personal loyalties are being tested and recalibrated behind palace walls, with the younger generation making clear and difficult choices about their allegiances.
