The fallout from fresh allegations surrounding Prince Andrew continues to ripple through the British royal family, now increasingly impacting his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Newly released documents suggest a closer connection between the princesses and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than previously understood, raising questions about their future roles and reputations.
According to reports, the princesses were present at a lunch with Epstein in Miami shortly after his release from prison. Further correspondence indicates Epstein may have requested the princesses entertain his associates. For Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, these revelations could jeopardize their public standing and future endeavors.
“This will raise questions from the public about exactly what they were doing,” royal commentator Richard Palmer told the Mirror. However, journalist Victoria Murphy suggests there remains sympathy for the princesses, acknowledging the difficult position they are in. “It’s easy to criticize now that Epstein’s crimes are known. But if no one was raising questions at the time, you can understand why they accepted the trip arranged by their mother,” Murphy stated.
The benefits of a relationship with Epstein are also becoming clearer. Correspondence between Epstein and his assistant reveals he covered the cost of the family’s flights, totaling $14,080. Emails also show Epstein inquiring with Sarah Ferguson about the princesses attending events with his acquaintances. One email from a friend to Epstein references a conversation with the Duchess of York, stating she was having lunch with Beatrice and introducing herself, mentioning her father.
While representatives for Ferguson have been contacted for comment, Palmer believes the repeated mentions of the princesses in the documents make it “difficult to distance themselves” from the scandal. “There’s no way they can avoid the links between their family and Epstein,” he said.
Neither princess currently holds an official role within the working royal family, focusing instead on their own careers and charitable work. Eugenie co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective, a charity dedicated to supporting victims of human trafficking. However, donations to the organization have significantly decreased, falling from €1.7 million in 2024 to €55,000 in 2025, despite maintaining substantial reserves. The charity reportedly intends to hold a large fundraising gala every three years, but a source in the sector notes replicating the success of previous events will be “difficult.”
The Anti-Slavery Collective has not responded to requests for comment regarding the recent allegations. Other charities associated with the princesses have offered more cautious responses. Outward Bound acknowledged Beatrice’s role as an honorary vice-patron. Salvation Army, which has a long-standing partnership with Eugenie, stated they are “closely monitoring” the situation, prioritizing the needs of victims and survivors.
Beyond their charitable work, Beatrice founded the consultancy firm BY-EQ, while Eugenie works as a director at the Hauser &. Wirth art gallery in Mayfair. The gallery is currently facing legal challenges related to alleged breaches of Russian sanctions, though it denies the accusations. There is no indication of wrongdoing on Eugenie’s part. A court date is set for 2028.
Last year, coinciding with Prince Andrew’s removal of his royal titles, Beatrice attended an investment forum in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the family’s long-standing connections to the Middle East. She recently participated in an advertising campaign for a UAE-based bank. Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, were also involved in some of Prince Andrew’s business ventures, attending Pitch@Palace, his startup business networking initiative, and a meeting with the then-Chinese ambassador to the UK in 2020.
Palmer suggests a potential blurring of lines between royal duties and personal gain. He argues Beatrice has built her career leveraging her royal status and the introductions facilitated by her parents.
Prince Andrew has recently relocated to the King’s estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, distancing him from his daughters and grandchildren. Sarah Ferguson’s current whereabouts are unknown, with speculation she may move to Portugal to live with Eugenie.
“Personally, the princesses maintain a relationship with their parents,” Palmer said. “From what I understand, they still speak to them and want to remain loyal. But in the public sphere, they will maintain distance. They need to publicly separate themselves from their parents, otherwise they risk the negative effect impacting them too.”
Despite the scandal, Beatrice and Eugenie retained their princess titles when Prince Andrew lost his. Their place in the wider royal family remains a subject of discussion. They have historically been close to the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, sharing an understanding of growing up under public scrutiny. Eugenie has been particularly close to Prince Harry, traveling to California to visit him.
Like Harry, Beatrice and Eugenie now find themselves on the periphery of the royal family. However, even amidst the recent turmoil, they continued to attend royal events, most notably Christmas at Sandringham. Their presence, Palmer suggests, signals a tacit agreement between Andrew and the King – that he and Ferguson will “step back quietly” as long as their daughters are protected. The King’s willingness to have them present indicates they are still considered part of the family.
As the royal family walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St. Mary Magdalene Church for the Christmas Day service, Beatrice and Eugenie, along with their husbands, were prominently positioned behind the King and Queen. This may be a signal of how they intend to move forward in the wake of the Epstein scandal. Whatever the future holds, Beatrice and Eugenie will need to step out of their parents’ shadow if they wish to remain active members of the royal family.
