Princess Beatrice and Eugenie's 'resilience' at Christmas Day walkabout as royal family's 'message' revealed
The royal sisters joined the king for the walkaboutPrincess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie joined the royal family for the Christmas Day walkabout in Sandringham on Thursday.
There had been much speculation over whether the royal sisters would spend Christmas at Sandringham this year. It came after much scrutiny over their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amid the loss of his royal titles and honours.
Andrew reportedly spent Christmas in Windsor this year following the loss of his titles and honours. The decision for him to lose his titles was made by the king amid scrutiny over Andrew’s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew will also leave his Royal Lodge home next year, as he reportedly moves from Windsor to the Sandringham Estate.
Princess Beatrice and Eugenie spend Christmas with royals at Sandringham
Reports recently claimed that Beatrice was going to spend Christmas abroad with friends. It came after sources alleged she was feeling torn over spending Christmas with the king at Sandringham or with her parents in Windsor.
However, a source reportedly told The Sun that Beatrice “changed her mind” over plans to spend it abroad.
On Thursday, Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, were seen with the royals as they attended a church service on Christmas morning.
Princess Eugenie also attended the service with her husband, Jack Brooksbank.
Royal family’s ’emphatic message to Andrew’s daughters’
Body language expert Judi James weighed in on Beatrice and Eugenie’s appearances on Christmas Day.
She told The Sun: “The wide smiles looked deliberately performed in a gesture of resilience and possibly stoicism.
“But the warmth and the protection from the Firm as a whole looked like a very emphatic message to Andrew’s daughters here.”
It’s likely been a tough few months for Beatrice and Eugenie amid their father’s scandal.
Andrew has faced scrutiny for years over his links to Epstein. He was also accused of sexual assault by the late Virginia Giuffre.
Ms Giuffre alleged she was made to sleep with Andrew on three occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew has always vehemently denied the allegations.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal
In October, Andrew announced in a statement that he would stop using his Duke of York title.
At the time, he said: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Days later, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles had “initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew”.
The palace also confirmed Andrew would now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The statement added: “His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.”
It’s said he’ll move to the Sandringham Estate.
So, what do you think? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page @RoyalInsider.
