Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, daughters of the Duke and Duchess of York, have made the decision to skip their traditional Easter gathering with King Charles and the wider royal family this year. Reports indicate that whilst the sisters will not be present for the holiday on 5 April, they are expected to participate in future family events, including the upcoming Royal Ascot.
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Speculation arose this week regarding an invitation extended to Beatrice and Eugenie for the prestigious Royal Ascot horse races scheduled for June. Media outlets, including Hello! magazine and The Sun, have suggested that King Charles, 77, has reached out to his nieces, despite the scrutiny surrounding their family’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. This scrutiny has reportedly cast a shadow over their public appearances and engagements.
The relationship between the York family and Epstein has been under intense investigation. Recent disclosures have shed light on the nature of those ties, although being named in the U.S. Department of Justice files does not imply any wrongdoing or charges for the former Duke and Duchess of York. The royal family’s decision-making regarding public events for the sisters may be influenced by these turbulent circumstances.
Although Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 36, were absent from the Easter celebrations, sources close to the sisters confirmed that this was a mutual understanding with their uncle, King Charles. It is believed that the King remains concerned for them, and reports suggest that he and other senior royals have continued to check in on their wellbeing.
Royal Ascot is a prominent fixture in the British social calendar, combining horse racing with elaborate social interactions, and both sisters were last seen attending the event in June 2025. They were accompanied by their husbands, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, and were notably seen engaging with King Charles, reinforcing familial ties amid ongoing tensions. Their mother, Sarah Ferguson, also attended, indicating a united front at the event in contrast to their parents’ challenging public image.
The scrutiny surrounding Beatrice and Eugenie intensified following the recent revelations regarding their father’s connections to Epstein. There were unconfirmed reports that suggested both sisters faced a ban from this year’s Royal Ascot due to potential backlash associated with their family’s history. This has added to an atmosphere of concern regarding their public appearances.
While a source connected to Beatrice denied speculation of marital issues linked to their parents’ past, it has been reported that the sisters are feeling the effects of public criticism keenly. Friends of the princesses have revealed that Beatrice, in particular, has found the recent attention difficult to manage, describing the situation as overwhelming. One insider noted the emotional toll the ongoing scrutiny has taken on both sisters, suggesting they have retreated from their usual social engagements.
Royal author Ingrid Seward corroborated these sentiments, commenting on how the scandals involving their parents have had a significant impact on the sisters’ lives. She affirmed that they are currently taking a step back, likening their current situation to “a locked ship,” suggesting that they are navigating this period with caution as they consider their public personas moving forward.
As the royal family continues to adapt to changing circumstances, it remains to be seen how Beatrice and Eugenie will engage with public life in the future. Their absence from Easter celebrations illustrates the broader implications of their family’s past while signalling a potential return to more visibility at upcoming events, should the climate become more favourable.
With tensions around issues of personal and family reputation at the forefront of public discourse, the hope remains that the princesses will find the support they need to navigate this tumultuous period. Royal watchers will undoubtedly be eager to see how they choose to manage their roles within the royal family and the public eye as future celebrations approach.