What to Know
In the wake of the former Prince Andrew’s arrest last month, it looks like his daughters are going to be faced with some consequences. According to royal insiders, not only have Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie been banned from attending the Royal Ascot in June, but they may have actually been sidelined from all royal events in the foreseeable future.
Eugenie and Beatrice are typically staples of the Royal Ascot, but this year, that may be changing.
According to what a palace insider told the Daily Mail, Eugenie and Beatrice are being left off the guest list for the Royal Ascot this year despite the fact that this is an event they have both attended year after year… and this might just be the first of many public events with the royal family that they’re excluded from.
“I’ve spoken to my friend who works at Ascot and they said the girls have been told they can’t be there this year,” the source said. “Beatrice has taken it the hardest. She’s been completely blindsided by all of this.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton are wary of them right now.
In order to protect their image as the dust settles, Will and Kate have reportedly been warned that they need to avoid being spotted in photos with the York sisters “for the rest of the year,” which is one of the reasons that Beatrice and Eugenie will be kept from attending royal-facing events.
“Ascot would be out of the question because the royals have been told they can’t have pictures with the girls for the rest of the year,” another source explained, later adding that part of the Royal Ascot tradition is spending the night before at Windsor Castle and taking the royal processional carriages to the event, which apparently wouldn’t be great optics for anyone involved.
Prince Harry has reportedly been supportive of his cousins during this time.
While Will and Kate may not be the most sympathetic cousins for the women at this time, one member of the royal family is — Prince Harry, who not only has always been close with the sisters but also knows just what it’s like to feel ostracized from The Firm.
“Harry has communicated with the girls, saying something along the lines of, he knows what it’s like to be at the wrong end of the institution,” a source said. “He’s said there’s an open invite, especially for Beatrice, if she ever wants one.”
If all else fails, at least they’re always welcome in Montecito?
