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Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been through an ‘extraordinarily difficult’ period since controversy emerged around Prince Andrew, a royal expert has said.
The Duke of York, 64, was plunged into scandal after his relationship with American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was thrust into the spotlight in 2019.
He spoke about their friendship in a ‘car crash’ interview with Emily Maitliss on BBC Newsnight, which has led to two separate TV dramas – one of which was released last month.
Andrew has vehemently and repeatedly denied all allegations against him.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond, the BBC’s former royal correspondent, has claimed this period – and an ongoing row over Andrew’s tenancy at Royal Lodge – has had an impact on his daughters.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been through an ‘extraordinarily difficult’ period since controversy emerged around Prince Andrew, a royal expert has said
The Duke of York, 64, was plunged into scandal after his relationship with American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was thrust into the spotlight in 2019
She told OK! Magazine: ‘I imagine this whole business has been extraordinarily difficult for Beatrice and Eugenie, particularly Beatrice because she was involved in the recording of the interview.
‘Beatrice strikes me as a very compassionate young woman and I am sure she cares deeply about both her father and her mother in this whole drama especially with the renewed interest because of the latest documentary.
‘However, there comes a time when you have to look after your own young family first and I suspect Beatrice has reached that right now.’
Princess Beatrice, 36, confirmed she is expecting her second child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi earlier this week. The couple already share a daughter, three-year-old Sienna.
And despite the difficulty the family has faced in the last five years, Ms Bond believes the Yorks ‘remain an incredibly close family’.
She said: ‘I very much doubt Beatrice is avoiding Royal Lodge – but like any young mother she’s got plenty to deal with in her own life and in her own home at the moment.’
Andrew has vehemently and repeatedly denied all allegations against him
Princess Eugenie of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony in 2013
Princess Beatrice is pregnant with her second child. The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson is already mother to Sienna Elizabeth, three, and stepson Wolfie, eight
Last month, sources claimed that Prince Andrew will be forced to pay for the upkeep and security of Royal Lodge himself or consider living elsewhere because King Charles’s financial support will stop.
Charles has long been trying to get his younger brother out of the 30-room, £30milliion property in Windsor, which he lives in with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Andrew, the Duke of York, has insisted on staying in the mansion despite stepping down from official duties nearly five years ago.
The King has been funding private guards at the mansion since Andrew’s armed cops – costing £3million a year – were removed in 2022 amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Beatrice, 36, shared a picture of Edo, Sienna and Wolfie walking in the woods
But now the pressure to move is growing as substantial subsidies from the King and the Royal Family are not going to be available indefinitely, the BBC reported.
If Andrew can privately fund the costs of the maintenance and security, then he can stay, but if not he will have to consider living elsewhere.
Meanwhile, sources have told the BBC that moving out to a smaller property such as Frogmore Cottage would be more due to finances than family disagreements.
Charles is said to be at the end of his tether and has made it clear there are now only ‘two possible options’ for Andrew, The Times reported.
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