In a surprising turn of events, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were noticeably absent from the annual Trooping the Colour parade held in honour of King Charles this past weekend. This occasion, which marks the official birthday celebration of the monarch, traditionally features a grand display of royal pageantry, including a fly-past and appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony. However, the two royal sisters chose to attend a wedding in Austria instead.
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The decision to forgo Trooping the Colour, which took place on a Saturday, followed closely after the pair were spotted at the wedding of their cousin, Peter Phillips, and his new bride, Harriet Sperling. Just a week prior to the Trooping event, Beatrice and Eugenie joined their family for the celebratory occasion, showcasing a united front amid the ongoing challenges facing their immediate family.
The two sisters have previously participated in the Trooping the Colour festivities, sharing the spotlight with other royals from the balcony at Buckingham Palace. In more recent years, however, the event has seen a reduction in the number of attending royals, with only working members of the royal family taking part in the ceremonial activities.
On the day of Trooping the Colour, Princess Beatrice, aged 37, and her sister Eugenie, aged 36, were photographed outside St. Charles’s Church in Vienna. They were seen with their husbands and children, making the most of their family time away from royal duties. Beatrice, who is married to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, has two daughters, Sienna, four, and Athena, one, while also being a stepmother to her husband’s son from a previous relationship, Christopher, ten. Meanwhile, Eugenie shares two sons, August and Ernest, with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and the couple recently announced they are expecting their third child.
The absence of the sisters from the royal celebrations comes against a backdrop of family upheaval arising from their father, former Prince Andrew, and mother, Sarah Ferguson, facing significant scrutiny and reputational damage due to Andrew’s past associations and recent legal troubles. Following Andrew’s arrest in February on suspicions relating to misconduct, speculation regarding the sisters’ relationship with their parents has intensified.
Reports suggest that Princess Beatrice and Eugenie are attempting to maintain a low profile as they safeguard their children from the tumult surrounding their father. According to sources, they have been keen to distance themselves from the ongoing controversies, with a clear focus on their young families. Since Andrew’s arrest, the sisters have not reportedly visited him at his new residence on the Sandringham estate, a reflection of their desire to create a protective environment for their children.
Despite these challenges, both Beatrice and Eugenie have remained connected to other royal family members. Following the removal of his royal titles, it was confirmed that their own royal status remains unchanged. As daughters of the late Queen Elizabeth’s son, the sisters retain their titles of princesses and maintain the styling of Her Royal Highness.
Notably, the sisters demonstrated their commitment to royal duties during last Christmas, spending the festive period with King Charles and the royal family, while their parents were absent. Royal commentator Robert Jobson noted that the sisters displayed loyalty to the King amid a turbulent family situation, emphasising the importance of accepting royal invitations. “When invited, you go. It’s not merely an invitation; it’s a command,” he remarked.
As the royal family continues to navigate its way through recent upheavals, Beatrice and Eugenie’s presence at royal events may evolve further, balancing personal obligations and their public roles as princesses. Their decision to attend the wedding in Austria rather than the Trooping the Colour parade indicates a desire to prioritise family time amidst a landscape of shifting royal dynamics.
The coming months may reveal more about how the younger royals adapt to their public roles while managing private family matters, particularly as they welcome new additions to their families and solidify their places within the royal hierarchy.