Beatrice lands major charity role amid scandal engulfing her family: Princess is named deputy patron of Outward Bound – six years after Andrew quit charity in wake of Newsnight interview

Princess Beatrice has landed a major charity role amid the growing scandal engulfing her family.

The elder daughter of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who last week had all of his royal titles stripped over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, has become deputy patron of The Outward Bound Trust, an organisation encouraging young people to spend time outdoors.

She joins her uncle Prince Edward, who was announced as the royal patron of the charity at a special event at St James’s Palace on Thursday.

Beatrice, 37, has already been a trustee of The Outward Bound Trust since 2019 – the same year the charity accepted Andrew’s resignation as patron following his disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, having supported the then Duke for decades.

Andrew himself took on the role from his father, Prince Philip, who was patron for 65 years, with many believing it was the charity closest to his heart.

Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of Outward Bound, said: ‘With The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice working alongside us, we’re embarking on a new chapter. 

‘One where every young person has the chance to test their limits, build confidence and discover that anything is possible. Their support reflects a shared belief that adventure changes lives.’ 

It comes after it emerged that Beatrice, who is ninth in line to the throne, and her sister Princess Eugenie, who is 12th, will retain their titles as the walls cave in around their father Andrew. 

Amid the controversy Charles is said to be very keen to ‘protect’ nieces Beatrice and Eugenie, 35, who remain Her Royal Highnesses as granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth. 

‘He wouldn’t have wanted to sign off on anything that would impact them,’ a source told the Daily Mail.

‘His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew,’ the palace said.

Beatrice is also an adviser for Afiniti, an artificial intelligence software firm, and a co-founder of The Big Change Charitable Trust.

She has a number of royal patronages, including the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, the Teenage Cancer Trust and the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity.

In 2019, following Andrew’s calamitous Newsnight interview where he discussed his friendship with Epstein, The Outbound Trust became the second charity to accept his resignation. 

On Thursday Andrew was ordered to appear in front of Congress to explain his links to the paedophile.

Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee sent the disgraced royal a letter on Thursday saying they believe he possesses important information about people with links to the late financier’s crimes.

It read: ‘The Oversight Committee will investigate allegations of abuse by Mountbatten Windsor, and will seek information on Epstein’s operations, network, and associates based on the men’s longstanding and well-documented friendship.’

Robert Garcia, the most senior Democratic figure on the committee, added: ‘Rich and powerful men have evaded justice for far too long.

‘Now, former Prince Andrew has the opportunity to come clean and provide justice for the survivors.’

Buckingham Palace announced last week that the former Duke of York, 65, will now only be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. 

In a bombshell statement, the Palace coldly announced the ‘censures [were] deemed necessary’ amid the growing controversy surrounding his relationship with paedophile financier Epstein, with whom Andrew lied about cutting ties.

Within hours, the former royal was erased from the Roll of the Peerage, and it was revealed he could face a private prosecution over allegations of sexual assault, corruption and misconduct in public office. 

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor – as he is now known – has for many years been dogged by allegations he sexually abused Virginia Giuffre after she was trafficked by Epstein, which he strenuously denies.

Ms Giuffre alleged she was forced to have sex three times with Andrew, including when she was 17 and also during an orgy, after she was trafficked by Epstein. 

Andrew paid millions to settle the civil sex case with her in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her.

Last week, King Charles III stripped his brother of his titles and announced Andrew would be leaving his home at Royal Lodge after paying ‘a peppercorn rent’ for decades. 

This came after Andrew previously announced he would no longer be known as the Duke of York and would be stepping down from membership of the Order of the Garter – the country’s most ancient order of chivalry.

Earlier on Thursday, Beatrice and Eugenie were spotted sharing an emotional embrace – and appeared to be consoling each other – just as their father officially became a commoner and was ordered to Congress.

The sisters hugged when they met in Mayfair, London, yesterday in their first public appearance together since Andrew was stripped of all his royal titles and his Windsor home.

They were spotted chatting intensely in the street as they walked together through London’s most exclusive district. At one point they did appear to be consoling one another.

They stood on a street corner for a few minutes, talking tersely and without smiles, before sharing a close embrace as they said goodbye to one another. Beatrice looked particularly solemn as she walked away.

Their warm, lingering hug came on a busy street close to Green Park and Buckingham Palace – around the time when Charles III issued a rare Letters Patent.

The official document, published by the Crown Office in The Gazette, the UK’s official public record, formally stripped Andrew of his prince title and also removed his HRH.

Beatrice and Eugenie are close to their parents but have been reportedly spending more time supporting their beleaguered father.

They have also supported their mother Sarah Ferguson, who is said to be considering emigrating while Andrew will be banished to Sandringham, Norfolk.

But yesterday they were supporting each other through what will also be a very testing time for them too.

Both were wrapped up in winter coats but Beatrice was more formally dressed.

It is not known if they were discussing their father’s situation.

Eugenie lives at Kensington Palace but Beatrice lives further afield in the Cotswolds.

Both their parents must now leave Windsor’s Royal Lodge in the fallout from Virginia Giuffre’s book and the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

The sisters have kept a low profile since the scandal erupted.

Princess Eugenie put on a brave face as she was spotted in public for the first time earlier this week since her father Andrew was stripped of his titles and Windsor home.

The 35-year-old was photographed laughing with her husband Jack Brooksbank, 39, in Notting Hill.

The couple looked happy and were enjoying an animated conversation as they walked through west London this week.

Despite the scandal that has engulfed Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, a relaxed Eugenie and Jack are clearly keen to continue life as normal.

The couple were seen smiling on their walk and repeatedly exchanged warm glances. They spoke briefly with their companions, who were laughing along as Eugenie chatted expressively.

They were both casually dressed, with the princess wearing black jeans and a matching top with brown suede boots. Her husband of seven years wore jeans, a jumper, Nike trainers and a bobble hat.

Recent events have inevitably placed a strain on family relations.

Multiple sources told the Daily Mail that both princesses have gone out of their way to strongly support beleaguered Andrew in recent weeks.

Both girls are said to be deeply worried about his mental wellbeing, with Andrew having become a virtual recluse at Royal Lodge, which he is due to leave.

But one source said it won’t be for a while.

‘Even when she is sitting in Royal Lodge, Sarah can spend the money,’ one informed source told Rebecca English.

‘The Amazon deliveries that go up to Royal Lodge are unbelievable. There are rooms full of boxes that haven’t even been opened.

‘It will take weeks, if not months, to shift all their s*** out.’

Last week, Andrew also relinquished his position as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victoria Order. 

His ex-wife, Sarah also lost her title and became plain Sarah Ferguson. 

The former prince’s decision was made after strong pressure from King Charles and in discussion with other family members, including Prince William, as heir to the throne, as well as Andrew’s other siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

Andrew is expected to leave Royal Lodge and move to a new home on the Sandringham estate – which is owned by the Royal Family.