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Beatrice & Eugenie’s Christmas Lunch Appearance Raises Questions — Was Charles Inviting Them Right?

Princess Eugenie of York, Princess Beatrice of York, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrive for the annual Trooping The Color parade on June 17, 2017 in London, England. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Chris Jackson)
Princess Eugenie of York, Princess Beatrice of York, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrive for the annual Trooping The Color parade on June 17, 2017 in London, England. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Chris Jackson)
Dec. 18 2025, Published 03:32 AM. ET
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After Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s royal downfall, almost everything his daughters do comes under scrutiny. The same was the case recently when Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attended King Charles’s pre-Christmas lunch. As the sisters were seen driving into Buckingham Palace, it reignited the debate around where they stand amid their father’s royal banishment. Amid the scrutiny, a royal expert has come to their defense, arguing that they haven't done anything wrong and should not be unfairly judged for their parents' actions.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attend a Christmas Lunch for members of the Royal Family, hosted by King Charles III, at Buckingham Palace (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attend a Christmas Lunch for members of the royal family, hosted by King Charles III, at Buckingham Palace. (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)

Royal commentator Laura Windsor, speaking to GB News, made a clear distinction between Mountbatten-Windsor and his daughters. She said, “Well, they’re just the offspring, aren’t they? They have really nothing to do with what their father has allegedly done.” Her comments reflect a growing consensus that the Princesses should not be burdened with reputational consequences tied to decisions they neither endorsed nor influenced.

Windsor also stressed that the sisters’ inclusion at family events is both appropriate and expected. “They’re part of the family, and quite rightly, they should be invited to family events,” she said. The commentator added that maintaining this separation is crucial for the monarchy. She also suggested that King Charles should draw a firm line around Mountbatten-Windsor, ensuring his daughters are not sidelined from family events. Windsor also rejected the idea that Beatrice and Eugenie’s appearance was a strategic signal or an act of quiet defiance. “They haven’t done anything... So why would King Charles hold a grudge or be unloyal to the wider York family in general?”

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Princess Beatrice of York, and Princess Eugenie of York attend day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Chris Jackson)
King Charles, Princess Beatrice of York, and Princess Eugenie of York attend day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Image Source: Getty Images | Chris Jackson)

Other experts have also echoed the sentiment, arguing that the Princesses remain blameless for their father’s ‘alleged sins.’ Royal biographer Robert Jobson wrote for HELLO! that the sisters’ standing was never in question, noting, “Their titles were never in doubt.” While the former Duke has been stripped of his titles and honors, his daughters have retained their status and remain in good standing with senior members of the family. According to Jobson, Prince William’s position in the entire matter is pretty clear: “Beatrice and Eugenie must not be punished for their father’s alleged sins.” This becomes especially important since the Prince of Wales is reportedly at the forefront of several key decisions in recent months.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie attend the Christmas church service. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images| Chris Jackson)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie attend the Christmas church service. (Image Source: Getty Images | Chris Jackson)

Jobson also argued that accountability has been deliberately confined to Mountbatten-Windsor alone, stressing that “accountability belongs to Andrew, not to his daughters.” As William looks ahead with a vision of a slimmed-down monarchy, Jobson said his focus remains firmly forward, and that future, he added, still includes the York sisters. “A slimmed-down monarchy still needs depth. Beatrice and Eugenie bring steadiness, purpose, and no theatrics,” Jobson opined.

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