Friends of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are disappointed but not surprised by the fact that they have not been asked to carry out any royal engagements, despite their desire to be of service. This decision comes as the royal family faces challenges due to the health crisis that has led King Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton to step back from their royal duties. It is seen as mean that the young women have been ignored by the king, especially considering their willingness to contribute. While Prince Andrew has been accepted back into the fold, Beatrice and Eugenie feel like they are being unfairly punished for their father’s actions, even though they have done nothing wrong.
Despite their personal relationship with Charles, it is acknowledged that there is no place for Beatrice and Eugenie as full-time working royals. As the late Queen Elizabeth previously stated, being a part-time working royal is not an option. The decision to exclude the young princesses from royal duties has caused some to question whether it was the right choice, particularly as the royal family is now heavily reliant on Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie to represent them publicly. The fact that Beatrice is 35 and Eugenie is 33 further complicates the issue, as they have already established themselves as private individuals.
While King Charles is fond of his nieces, bringing them back into the public eye would send a confusing message and go against the current trend of streamlining the royal family. Princess Beatrice, who is married to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, lives with her family in St. James’ Palace, paying market rent for their residence. Princess Eugenie splits her time between her sister’s apartment in the U.K. and a luxury property in Portugal. If Charles and Kate continue to face health challenges and are unable to resume their full royal duties, the royal family will face staffing shortages, particularly if Prince William also assumes a reduced role due to ongoing concerns.
Some have suggested that Beatrice and Eugenie could be invited back into the royal family on a part-time basis to help alleviate potential staffing issues in the future. Despite being favorites of Queen Elizabeth, they were removed from the core group of working royals as part of Charles’s vision for a leaner royal family. The decision to cut ties with Beatrice and Eugenie was finalized in 2011, much to the displeasure of Prince Andrew. If the young princesses are not brought back into the fold, the royal family may face an inevitable decline in public visibility in the years to come, potentially tarnishing Charles’s legacy as monarch.
As the royal family navigates the challenges of an aging monarchy and shifting responsibilities, decisions about the future role of Beatrice and Eugenie remain uncertain. The possibility of a reduced presence of working royals in the coming decades raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the monarchy and the public’s perception of its relevance. The exclusion of Beatrice and Eugenie from official royal duties raises concerns about the royal family’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and maintain its relevance in an evolving society. The ongoing health issues facing key members of the royal family further complicate this already challenging situation.
