Allowing Beatrice and Eugenie to Retain Their Titles Could Backfire on King Charles, Claims Expert
Royal expert Chris Riches opined that if Beatrice and Eugenie are seen with their parents, it would damage the monarchy's reputation.
King Charles has certainly not had it easy when it came to dealing with the repercussions of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's fallout. However, he upheld the values of the monarchy when he stripped his disgraced brother of his titles and ordered him to vacate Royal Lodge. Despite the monarch's best efforts to save face, royal experts still believe he hasn't done enough. Reflecting on what more could've been done, expert Chris Riches believes the King should also strip the Yorks' daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, of their royal honors.
In an article for the Daily Express, Riches opined that if Beatrice and Eugenie are seen with their infamous parents, it would damage the reputation of the monarchy. He penned, "Firstly, just being pictured with 'mum and dad' as HRHs, continues a royal link to Andrew and Fergie's Epstein shame that never evaporates. It festers. It lingers." He added, "Secondly, as Princesses and public figures, they'll always be one precarious step from their parents' precipice of ignominy - Andrew and Fergie's past a 'sword of Damocles' over their children's livelihoods." According to the expert, if Charles wished to avoid more collateral damage, he must strip the York sisters of their titles, lest they follow or associate themselves with their parents' scandals.
Arguing his case, Riches emphasized that since Beatrice and Eugenie both have successful independent careers, they do not need their royal connections to climb the ladder. He continued, "The pressure on Beatrice and Eugenie, their husbands, and innocent children as public figures would be unfair and unbearable. Who wants to see that?" Beatrice, as Riches points out, currently serves as a Counsellor of State, allowing her to carry out official duties while Charles is abroad or unwell. Meanwhile, Eugenie is a successful director at the Hauser & Wirth art gallery in London, focused solely on her role rather than taking up royal duties in the future.
In the wake of Mountbatten-Windsor's title loss announcement, many speculated whether the York sisters might also lose their royal honors. However, royal expert Ailsa Anderson, former press secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth, told PEOPLE that this wouldn't be the case. She, however, warned, "Even though they keep their titles, the ripple effect will have consequences for the rest of their lives." Anderson added that Beatrice, Eugenie, Mountbatten-Windsor, and Sarah Ferguson were always a 'close-knit family,' suggesting their bond will help them endure the difficult times ahead.
Considering Beatrice and Eugenie's tough position, owing to their parents' many scandals, Charles and Prince William have reportedly taken pity on the sisters. Royal expert Phil Dampier wrote for Woman's Day, "The King and William have always been fond of Bea and Eugenie, and their husbands, and regard them as innocent victims." The sisters, fortunately, get to keep their honors, for now, given that they are male-line grandchildren of the late Queen. While they don't have to face the humiliation of losing their titles, they are allegedly torn between love for their parents and the poor choices they made.
