Beatrice and Eugenie ‘Torn’ and Feeling ‘Duped’ by Dad Andrew After New Epstein Files

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie feel misled by Andrew, who downplayed his close ties to Jeffrey Epstein, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.

The latest batch of Epstein files has reportedly wreaked havoc within the House of York. In the wake of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson being ousted over their repeated lies, their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are said to be struggling with the fallout. Royal experts claim the York sisters feel particularly misled by their father, who is accused of downplaying his close ties to Jeffrey Epstein, despite newly released emails suggesting otherwise.

Contrary to the evidence released by the US Department of Justice, Mountbatten-Windsor had always maintained that he had cut off ties with Epstein in 2010. However, documents released since then indicate the relationship continued, one of which included an email where he allegedly told Epstein, "It would seem we are in this together." Commenting on the horrific revelations, royal author Robert Jobson told PEOPLE, "Just like the late Queen and Charles, Andrew told them [Beatrice and Eugenie] all the same story — that he had done nothing wrong. My understanding is they feel pretty duped by the whole thing."

The royal expert also claimed the Princesses are allegedly struggling to cope with the fallout. "I do think they believed their father, and now it has all backfired. I know that Eugenie, especially, has found it very difficult." Matters have been further complicated by allegations now involving Ferguson, who reportedly took the girls for lunch with Epstein to celebrate his release from prison. "They [Beatrice and Eugenie] were only 19 or 20-year-olds at the time. If, at that age, your parents say we are going to see someone who's a friend of theirs, you don't think much about it beyond that."

Similarly, royal historian Robert Lacey also stressed that Beatrice and Eugenie's careful discretion and silence amidst the scandal spoke volumes of their stance. Meanwhile, Jobson believed that while they would not fully cut ties with their parents, they were unlikely to present any public show of unity. He continued, "There's a sense that they [Beatrice and Eugenie] would put an arm around their mom, but dad will be left to get on with it." Expressing sympathy for their condition right now, he concluded, "It's not their fault who their parents were associated with.​"

Indeed, the release of correspondence as well as images linked to Epstein was a brutal blow for the House of York, further leaving the Princesses allegedly reeling from the aftereffects. Insiders have described a family unit that is holding on by a thread under the weight of new revelations. A source told the Daily Mail, "The Yorks are just about holding it together as a family, but this has put new strains on their relationships. They [Beatrice and Eugenie] are aghast at what they have read. They are mortified by the emails their mother has sent to Epstein. It is so embarrassing for them."