In a move highlighting deepening fissures within the British monarchy, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have opted out of a key royal holiday event. The sisters declined a personal invitation from the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, to her annual Christmas carol service, choosing to maintain a low public profile.
Royal Sisters Choose Caution Over Celebration
This decision comes against the tumultuous backdrop of their father, Prince Andrew's, ongoing scandal. Despite holding royal titles themselves, Beatrice and Eugenie have increasingly stepped back from the spotlight. Their absence from the high-profile carol service, a cornerstone of the royal family's public festive engagements, is seen as a deliberate act of caution. The sisters conveyed their seasonal greetings and well-wishes to Kate Middleton through online messages instead of attending in person.
King Charles's Firm Stance on Prince Andrew
The timing of their withdrawal is significant. It coincides with King Charles III continuing to strip Prince Andrew of his remaining royal privileges. The monarch has been systematically removing his brother's military affiliations, royal patronages, and even his official residence, Frogmore Cottage. This firm action by the King is part of a broader effort to distance the modern monarchy from controversy and protect its reputation.
For Beatrice and Eugenie, their father's diminished status places them in a complex position. They are working members of the royal family with careers but are inevitably linked to his disgrace. Their decision to skip a high-visibility event hosted by the future Queen Consort is interpreted as an attempt to avoid drawing any negative attention or media scrutiny towards the family during a sensitive time.
A New Strain on Royal Unity Efforts
The sisters' non-attendance introduces a fresh point of tension within the House of Windsor. The royal family has been actively promoting a public image of cohesion and stability, especially following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Events like Kate Middleton's carol service are designed to showcase this unity. The visible absence of two senior royals punctures that carefully curated image.
It underscores the lingering shadow cast by Prince Andrew's association with the late Jeffrey Epstein. While King Charles works to marginalize Andrew institutionally, the personal and familial repercussions continue to play out. The choice made by Beatrice and Eugenie reflects the personal toll of the scandal, demonstrating that its fallout extends beyond the Duke of York himself and affects the next generation's participation in royal life.
This episode, dated December 06, 2025, reveals the ongoing challenge the monarchy faces in balancing family loyalties with institutional survival. As the King forges ahead with a slimmed-down, modern monarchy, the roles of its peripheral members remain in flux, particularly when entangled in unresolved controversies.
