Former Prince Andrew’s daughters won’t attend Easter service as ‘York brand’ deemed ‘toxic’: expert
The dark shadow former Prince Andrew cast due to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein continues to grow amid reports his daughters will not attend Easter services with the royal family.
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice are the latest royals to suffer the blowback following their father's arrest last month.
While the princesses may not be joining the royal family this weekend, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noted that King Charles is still "fond" of Andrew's daughters, but understood their presence would have "overshadowed the event"
"It has been clear for some time that the York brand is toxic with the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the disgrace of Sarah Ferguson," Fitzwilliams said. "It is no surprise that their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie will not be joining the royal family for Easter as they often have in many previous years.
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"This would have overshadowed the event and it was undoubtedly mutually agreed that they would not attend. In contrast to reports that indicated they would not attend Royal Ascot as part of the royal party, there are now indications that they and perhaps their spouses may be in the Carriage Procession."
Reports circulated earlier this year that Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice would be unlikely to attend any future royal gatherings due to their parents' connection with the Epstein files.
"The King is known to be fond of them and to admire the way they balance family life, days jobs and some charitable activities though not as working royals," Fitzwilliams said. "This seems to indicate a thawing of relations, though I would be surprised if they attended any of the Buckingham Palace Garden Parties.
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He added, "It has been rumored that William might one day favor a different, tougher approach."
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released from police custody on Feb. 19, hours after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The former prince faced public scrutiny due to his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, who died by apparent suicide while in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.
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John McDermott, co-founder of Caloroga Shark Media & creator of the "King William" podcast, noted that the royal family could play this out in many different ways.
"One thing to remember is that King Charles is also head of the Church, so it’s not just a famous family attending mass," McDermott said. "They can get in and out, smile for the cameras, and allow the controversy to be discussed at another time and place."
McDermott suggested that "both sides appear to have read the room" when it came to the former prince's family worshipping with the royals. According to People, with the agreement and understanding of King Charles, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have made alternative plans for the holiday.
"Buckingham Palace clearly feels they made a mistake when they quickly welcomed the women into the Royal fold while stripping Andrew of his titles and stylings in October 2025," Constant told Fox News Digital.
"They are creating distance to protect the whole. They don't want the visual reminders of the York family anywhere around the Monarchy at the moment."
She added, "The picture of Kate and William driving Andrew to Sunday services in the summer of 2023 still haunts the couple."
When it comes to Prince William and Kate Middleton's stance on the York family, royal expert Helena Chard said the Prince of Wales is business-focused.
"The late Queen Elizabeth’s philosophy was monarchy-first," Chard told Fox News Digital. "Future proofing the monarchy is of upmost importance for all key members of the British royal family.
"King Charles maintains a profound commitment to his royal duties and Prince William is steadfast in his role as heir. They will not allow anything to jeopardize the Monarchy’s future if they can help it."
Experts all agree that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie need to maintain a low profile regardless of Easter Services.
"They may currently be clouded by scandal with talk of them to be exiled in the Middle East despite no evidence of wrongdoing," Chard said.
"You never know, if they are anything like their mother, the Houdini of the royal family and forever the chameleon, they will bounce back as the dutiful helpful royals, they wish to continue to be."