After Andrew’s arrest, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie finally break silence on ‘revolting’ parents

What began as a long-simmering royal controversy has erupted into a full-blown crisis in recent months, with the release of the Epstein Files keeping Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson firmly in the spotlight and under intense public scrutiny.

And now with the former Prince arrested on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office and police searching addresses in both Berkshire and Norfolk, the headlines keep on coming. The arrest is not an indication of guilt and no charges have been made against Andrew yet.

And with explosive claims continuing to emerge amidst the ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, insiders claim the mounting scandal is placing unprecedented strain on their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, behind palace doors.

Until recently, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, had largely managed to sidestep the public furore surrounding their parents. But that changed dramatically when bombshell correspondence, allegedly between Sarah and Epstein, was released last month, mentioning Beatrice’s name 38 times, and Eugenie’s 19 times.

Among the most shocking claims were emails allegedly sent by Sarah which appeared to boast about Eugenie’s private life, mentioning her ‘s****ing weekend’ and the revelation that Sarah had taken Beatrice and Eugenie, then aged 20 and 19, to visit Epstein while he was serving house arrest in 2009 following his conviction for soliciting a minor [a 14-year-old girl] for prostitution.

Initially, sympathy leaned heavily towards the sisters, with reports suggesting they had been left ‘broken’, ‘embarrassed’ and ‘aghast’ by fresh allegations. The distress intensified further following the circulation of a disturbing photograph reportedly showing a man who appears to be Andrew leaning over a woman lying on the floor.

Now, with speculation growing over what they knew about their parents’ controversial relationship and whether they could play a role in clarifying events, a source tells us that Beatrice and Eugenie could finally be ready to break their silence over Andrew and Sarah’s ‘revolting’ behaviour.

‘They’re both totally floored and humiliated by recent revelations. It’s hit them like a ton of bricks and reinforced the fact that their parents are liars and charlatans who’ve destroyed the entire family with their revolting behaviour,’ the insider says.

‘And there’s a growing feeling that staying quiet is no longer an option; that there’s an obligation for them to tell their side to the right people. The public would no doubt applaud them if they were able to clarify certain timelines and facts.’

They add, ‘But speaking to the authorities is one thing; there’s also pressure to clear their names with the public. Doing a sit-down interview is not their style but a tasteful and measured memoir with the facts and a lot of emotion is an option that’s being put forth.’

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The resurfaced scandal has also revived scrutiny around Andrew’s now-infamous appearance on BBC Newsnight with Emily Maitlis in 2019 and the role Beatrice is believed to have played in helping organise it.

Reports at the time suggested she was instrumental in supporting her father and assisting with preparations for the widely criticised broadcast.

Further controversy erupted when Daily Mail diarist Richard Eden claimed Beatrice may have been aware her father allegedly misled the public about distancing himself from Epstein, writing in his column, ‘I believe that Beatrice knew her father had lied when he said this.’ Although there is no evidence of this and Andrew has denied any wrongdoing during his friendship with Epstein.

He continued to question the sisters’ awareness of the relationship, adding, ‘That jolly trip to Florida [with Sarah, to visit Epstein five days after his jail release in 2009] is not, moreover, the only disclosure in the files that has persuaded me Beatrice and Eugenie knew their father told a pack of lies to the nation from the palace.’

Another email, allegedly authored by Sarah, claimed Beatrice believed it was ‘important’ her mother apologise for remarks made in 2011 calling Epstein a ‘paedophile’ – something Richard suggested hinted that ‘Fergie and Beatrice were conspiring on how to create positive public relations for the convicted criminal’. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

But fast forward over a decade and insiders say motherhood has since become a defining factor in how the sisters are now processing the situation. Beatrice shares daughters Sienna, four, and one-year-old Athena with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, while Eugenie is mum to sons August, five, and Ernest, two, with Jack Brooksbank. And now the source say protecting their children is becoming their biggest priority.

‘They still love their parents so there’s a natural urge to want to protect them. But more than that, they want to protect their own kids. There’s a sense that if they don’t take control of the narrative now, they may never get the chance,’ the source says.

‘If they [the public] were to fully grasp how horrific this has been for both Eugenie and Beatrice, they’d likely earn a lot of sympathy too, which could go a long way into helping them come back from this.’

Despite the mounting drama, the sisters’ attendance at Christmas celebrations with senior royals has been seen as a sign they remain in favour within palace circles, and there is currently no evidence suggesting they had any involvement in or knowledge of their parents’ alleged behaviour.

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However, insiders suggest the decision over whether they speak publicly could have lasting implications for the Firm, who have come under intense scrutiny over how they have responded to the allegations against the former Duke and Duchess of York.

The source says, ‘It’s also very delicate because they can’t risk upsetting the palace machine and the Palace culture has always leaned toward discretion. There’s a fear of upsetting that balance. But there’s also an understanding that transparency, handled properly, can be a strength.’

‘Anything that helps bring clarity and restore trust, provided it’s done respectfully and not as a media circus, is a good thing for the monarchy. It’s hard to argue otherwise, especially considering they want to modernise and in a modern day UK the citizens reward transparency.’

Meanwhile, support is reportedly coming from across the Atlantic from cousin Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, who previously shared their own royal struggles during their headline-making interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 and in Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare.

According to the source, the Sussexes are now encouraging the sisters to tell their own story.

‘Meghan and Harry both feel like it’s a great idea for Beatrice and Eugenie to tell their side of things. They can clarify exactly how close their parents were to him at the very least,’ we’re told.

‘Meghan and Harry are even offering to introduce them to publishers and agents that can help them put together a deal, they could both earn a lot of money in the process.’

However, sources say the sisters are facing a deeply personal dilemma about where their loyalties lie, and whether speaking out could cause further fractures within the family.

‘Ultimately this decision rests with Beatrice and Eugenie alone and they’re at a crossroads, at least when it comes to the memoir. They do want to draw a line and move forward but it’s quite daunting,’ we’re told.

‘They’ve been defined by association for too long. If they’re going to steady the ship for their own families, it may require stepping into uncomfortable territory and finally telling their story in their own voice.’