Hannah Furness
London: British princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will not join the Royal Ascot carriage procession this year amid the continuing fallout of their father’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, it has been claimed.
The princesses, the daughters of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, are not expected to attend high-profile events with the royal family for the foreseeable future.
The Mail on Sunday reported that they had been told they could not join the royal family at Ascot, in Berkshire, England, in June or appear in the Royal Box or the carriage procession.
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19 over claims of misconduct in public office. It is not yet known whether he will be charged, and he denies all wrongdoing.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have not been seen with their father since his arrest. Their mother, Sarah Ferguson – whose own email exchanges with Epstein were published in the latest file release – is reported to have been staying at a wellness clinic.
The princesses are also mentioned in emails, travelling with Ferguson, then known as Sarah, Duchess of York, to stay with Epstein shortly after his release from jail and asked to give his associates tours of the palace.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on their part, and they are said to have been distraught by the allegations about their father.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment. Ascot did not respond to a request for comment.
A friend of the princesses suggested that it was too early for discussions about Ascot, and that no decisions had been made.
But all are understood to be mindful of their public appearances and how they will affect the public perception of the royal family.
King Charles has previously signalled his support for his nieces, and allowed them to walk with the royal family at Sandringham even after he stripped his brother, Mountbatten-Windsor, of his titles and honours.
They have previously attended garden parties at Buckingham Palace as well as Trooping the Colour, but are not expected to do so this year. They are not working members of the royal family.
One source said they were lying low and spending time with their own families while details of the Epstein scandal continue to unfold.
Mountbatten-Windsor is living at Wood Farm in Sandringham while he waits to learn whether Thames Valley Police will charge him with misconduct in public office.
The Telegraph, London
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