ith the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson still deepening, royal expert Jennie Bond has revealed how their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, might be feeling
The scandal surrounding Prince Andrew has been tough reading for the Royal Family – especially his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
The sisters have to had to see their father have a string of lurid allegations made against him following his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew denies all allegations.
And last week, they had to watch on as both their dad and mother, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, agreed to relinquish their Duke and Duchess of York titles. Now the pair remain on the brink with reports they are due to leave their sprawling Royal Lodge home amid mounting pressure over Andrew’s lease deal for the property.
READ MORE: Prince Andrew ‘convinced’ Charles has ulterior motive for wanting him out of Royal LodgeREAD MORE: Prince Andrew ‘in advanced talks’ to leave Royal Lodge amid fury over rent deal
Amid the fallout, both Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, have laid low, with only Beatrice being spotted paying her parents a visit at Royal Lodge earlier this week. And according to royal expert Jennie Bond, the two sisters must now be questioning their parents’ actions.
She told the Mirror : “Whatever else you say or think about Andrew and Sarah, they have brought up two lovely daughters. Beatrice and Eugenie must believe their father‘s protestations of innocence. Otherwise, how could they go on supporting him?
“But surely they must now be questioning why both he and their mother continued an association with a convicted sex offender for so long?
“Beatrice must look back and think how strange that they invited a man like that to her 18th birthday party – even though at that stage he had not actually been arrested. That happened eight days later.
“They must wonder why their mother reportedly took them to New York to meet Epstein when he came out of prison. Sarah says she can’t remember that visit, but there is an email from Epstein which claims they came to celebrate his release.”
Even though their parents have lost their titles and honours, Beatrice and Eugenie remain princesses. The King and their cousin Prince William are both said to be fond of them and it is reported they will still be welcome at family events.
But when it comes to the likes of Christmas and Easter, which Andrew and Fergie will almost certainly not be welcome at anymore, it could be a huge test of loyalties for the two princesses.
Jennie added: “Beatrice and Eugenie must be so conflicted. The King has made it clear that they are still welcome at family events such as Christmas. Charles and William have always been fond of them and don’t want to see them suffer.
“But the girls obviously love their parents and it must be hard to witness the onslaught and public humiliation of both of them. If they’ve got any sense, they’ll just get on with bringing up their young children and try not to be drawn into this huge public row.
“And it seems they are already trying to keep a low profile – they were reportedly due at a big charity event last weekend but failed to show.
“And I don’t blame them. I have never thought that they were going to be given official roles as working Royals, but I think this latest crisis has finally closed the door on that possibility.”