Sarah Ferguson, like her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, have brought huge shame and humiliation on their two daughters, writes Chris Riches.
Beatrice, Sarah Ferguson and Eugenie (Image: Getty)
The Epstein scandal made Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor high society ‘lepers’ – but the pariahs’ black hole now threatens to drag in Beatrice and Eugenie too. While both princesses have taken a step back from parading themselves around with shamed mum and dad, behind the scenes neither daughter has abandoned them.
Maybe we should not criticise children for standing by their parents – even though with Fergie’s and recently-arrested Andrew’s outrageous antics it is very hard not to. Both Fergie and Andrew disgracefully lied about cutting off contact with US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, when they secretly continued their friendship for years.
Fergie called Epstein a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend”, asked him to “marry me”, gossiped to him about her daughter Eugenie’s “sha**ing weekend” and jetted to the US to welcome his prison release after he admitted procuring a 14-year-old girl for prostitution.
Meanwhile Andrew told Newsnight he cut off Epstein in 2010 – yet the Epstein Files appear to show he emailed him an official government briefing on investments in Afghanistan, sent the pervert “we are in this together” emails in 2011 and added “keep in close touch”.
He even sent the self-confessed, convicted paedophile a 2011 Christmas card featuring his princess daughters. Thanks dad! It’s really not a good look.
On Thursday morning Andrew was arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office over the alleged sharing of confidential material with Epstein, when in his official role as a UK Trade Envoy.
Now as the dust refuses to settle – with US politicians calling on the one-time Duke of York to reveal all he knew about Epstein to a congressional committee and Fergie shutting six businesses – the toxicity of the couple is leaking onto their daughters.
Fergie is reportedly anxious that Eugenie and Beatrice are no longer being inundated with red carpet or charity do invites due to their parents.
One royal source said Fergie’s upset that her royal daughters have been taken “off the guest lists” for some events they would usually attend. Neither Beatrice, 37, nor Eugenie, 35, has commented on this.
However, the sisters have been seen out and about since the latest Epstein files were released.
Last weekend, Eugenie was spotted attending the Art Basel 2026 in Doha, Qatar, in her role as director at Hauser and Wirth.
Beatrice, on the other hand, was spotted in public just days before the latest files were released when she attended this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
Before Christmas, Andrew and Fergie were black-balled by one of the most lavish chains of clubs in London.
The legendary Annabel’s in Mayfair is one of the most exclusive nightclubs in London, with a rich history, having hosted the likes of Princess Diana, Mick Jagger and Frank Sinatra.
The upmarket club, established by Mark Birley in honour of his wife Lady Annabel Tempest-Vane in the 1960s, has been a major draw for celebrities.
Andrew has never been a member but he and Fergie were previously allowed to come and go as they please. He held his 30th birthday party there in 1990.
Now it’s understood the former Duke and Duchess of York “would be turned away” if they return to Annabel’s as their “type of notoriety” is “not what the club needs”. The ban is believed to cover the four sister venues owned by the “King of Mayfair”, Mr Birley.
The only way to distance themselves from their parents is for the sisters to make a statement condemning their mum and dad’s long association with Epstein.
Both Eugenie and Beatrice are mums of two children and married. Neither they, nor their young families, asked for this while their parents cultivated Epstein’s friendship and wealth.
But could they really throw their own flesh and blood to the wolves? Prince William may expect them too if they want a future in the new look Royal Family.
The beasts are circling anyway – it may be the only thing left to do.