Beatrice and Eugenie Receive Warm Welcome at Wedding — But Are They Really Back in the Royal Fold?
Royal experts say Beatrice and Eugenie's wedding welcome was significant, but it doesn't mean they're fully in the clear.
The royal wedding this weekend had all the love but was not short on drama either. Many members of the firm attended Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling's big day, and among them were the much-talked-about York sisters. Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice both received a warm welcome as they attended the wedding alongside their husbands, but does that mean they're finally back in the Royal Family's good graces, or is there more going on behind the scenes?
One royal expert does not seem to think that the princesses are truly back in the family. Emily Nash told Page Six, “I wouldn’t say that. I don’t think you can read too much into the fact that they’re attending a family wedding, but it is also them coming in from the cold to an extent.” However, she noted that this marked the first time in recent memory the sisters had appeared publicly with the wider royal family without Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson by their side.
According to Nash, the invitation might suggest that Beatrice and Eugenie still have plenty of support within the family, but personal affection is a far cry from being officially welcomed back into the Firm. She said, “You have to remember this is, on the one hand, an institution, on the other hand, a family, and the two cross. But there are very distinct lines as well.”
There is also the lingering question of what the future holds for Beatrice and Eugenie's titles as scrutiny surrounding their father refuses to go away. Nash explained, “Certainly they are still members of the family, and there’s obviously a lot of concern and affection for them within the family. But, you know, the question remains: what becomes, in the long term, of their titles?” As for whether either sister is actually at risk of losing her title, Nash said it is far too early to know how things might play out.
The royal expert also noted that the relentless headlines surrounding their father cannot have been easy for either sister, likely taking a heavy toll on the entire family. This raises the question of whether Beatrice and Eugenie ever wonder if their lives might have been simpler without the weight of royal titles. A prime example within the family would be their cousins, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips; born without an official title, they bypass the grueling responsibilities of a working royal while still enjoying the unique privileges of being Princess Anne’s children.
Nevertheless, both sisters appeared to be treated just like any other member of the family. Despite months of speculation, Prince William greeted Beatrice with a kiss on the cheek, while other royals also seemed pleased to see the York sisters' presence during the ceremony.
