Beatrice and Eugenie set to miss royal Easter service amid Andrew fallout
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are expected to miss the royal family’s Easter church service this weekend, as renewed scrutiny around their father, Prince Andrew, continues to affect the Duke of York’s wider family and their public appearances.
Fox News reported that royal commentator Mr Richard Fitzwilliams said it was “mutually agreed” the sisters would not attend because their presence would have “overshadowed the event” following Prince Andrew’s arrest last month.
In comments carried by the outlet, Mr Fitzwilliams said “the York brand is toxic” in the wake of the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the “disgrace of Sarah Ferguson”, adding that it was “no surprise” the princesses would sit out a gathering they have attended in previous years. He also suggested the King remains “fond” of his nieces and noted there were indications they could still appear at other engagements later in the season, including the Royal Ascot carriage procession.
The latest report follows wider discussion about how the monarchy is managing the reputational impact of the Duke of York’s situation, including previous Britpop News coverage that Prince William has been urged to take a tougher approach on Andrew as the family weighs future public-facing decisions.
Easter services are among the most prominent fixtures in the royal calendar, and the absences of Beatrice and Eugenie would underscore the continued sensitivity around public optics as the Palace navigates both family relationships and the institution’s wider duties.
