In a notable aspect of contemporary royal lineage, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, the daughters of the recently disgraced former Prince Andrew, have retained their royal titles following their father’s loss of royal honours. Their circumstances shed light on the evolution of titles within the British monarchy, particularly regarding the royal offspring’s hierarchy.
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Princess Beatrice, aged 38, and her sister Eugenie, 36, have embraced motherhood in recent years, marking significant personal milestones. Princess Eugenie recently celebrated the birth of her third child—a daughter named Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank, born to her and husband Jack Brooksbank, 40. She is joined by her older brothers, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, 5, and Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, 3.
Conversely, Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 42, on 17 July 2020, and together they have two daughters: Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, 4, and Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, 1. In addition to their daughters, Beatrice is also a stepmother to Edo’s 10-year-old son, Christopher Woolf, affectionately known as Wolfie, from a previous relationship.
While both sisters carry the titles of Princess and the styling of His/Her Royal Highness, their offspring do not enjoy the same privilege. Unlike their cousins, Prince William and Prince Harry, the children of Beatrice and Eugenie will not inherit royal titles. This distinction is attributed to the fact that they are not direct grandchildren of King Charles III, thus placing them outside the immediate royal lineage.
Despite this fact, all five children—Sienna, Athena, August, Ernest, and Adelaide—remain in the line of succession to the British throne. Interestingly, Beatrice’s daughters do hold titles on their father’s side. Edoardo, being the eldest son of Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, will one day inherit the family estate, the Villa Mapelli Mozzi, an 18th-century palace in northern Italy. Consequently, Beatrice became known as an Italian “Contessa” upon marriage, passing this noble status onto her daughters.
Beatrice and Eugenie stand out among their cousins for their use of HRH titles. Their situation mirrors that of other royals. For instance, Princess Anne chose not to bestow HRH titles upon her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, allowing them to navigate life without the expectations tied to royal obligations. “I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles,” Anne remarked in 2020, indicating a strategic decision that prioritised their independence.
In a similar vein, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, allowed their children, Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex, the option to decide on their titles when they reached adulthood. After their 18th birthdays, neither has opted to utilise their royal titles in public life, demonstrating a trend towards a more modern interpretation of royal status. Louise, for instance, opted to graduate as “Louise Mountbatten-Windsor” while James was recently referred to by his father’s previous title.
The removal of titles from Prince Andrew in October 2022, prompted by renewed scrutiny over his connections with the late Jeffrey Epstein, illustrates the mechanisms at play within the monarchy. The King exercised his Royal Prerogative, allowing him to control certain titles without parliamentary consent, yet the daughters’ royal titles remained unaffected. However, any changes to Andrew’s position in the line of succession would necessitate an Act of Parliament.
This instance reminds the public of the historical precedence within royal lineage. King Edward VIII lost his place in the line of succession upon his abdication in 1936, while Prince Michael of Kent was removed for marrying a Catholic—a decision later reversed with the Succession to the Crown Act in 2013.
While Andrew has consistently denied any misconduct relating to Epstein, his daughters continue to navigate their royal identities without the burden of their father’s controversies. The distinct situation of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie showcases not only the complexities of royal titles but also the shifting dynamics within the royal family as they adapt to the contemporary landscape of public life.