Princess Beatrice Is Reportedly ‘Under Pressure’ in Latest Royal Christmas Dilemma
After Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's downfall, the royal futures of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie appeared uncertain. However, King Charles reportedly made it clear he wouldn't punish the sisters for their father's missteps. This decision, it seems, is particularly causing Beatrice some concern, as she is allegedly 'under pressure' to balance her Christmas appointments. Royal expert Charlotte Griffiths claimed that Beatrice felt compelled to celebrate with the royals and also spend the holiday one last time with her disgraced father at Royal Lodge.
In an article for the Daily Mail, various sources spoke to Griffiths detailing Beatrice's alleged Christmas dilemma. An insider revealed that the Princess reportedly felt she 'has to be in three places at once' on Christmas Day. However, she could choose to stay in her new Cotswolds home with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and their children. Regarding her alleged confusion, Griffiths penned, "At the same time, she [Beatrice] naturally feels diplomatically obliged to be seen with the rest of the royals at the King's Norfolk estate. But the source said she also felt compelled to spend one final Christmas at Royal Lodge with her father, despite his fall from grace over the Epstein scandal."
In light of Beatrice's tough situation, the insider stressed, "Unless she [Beatrice] makes a decision to pick one side and one side only, she will spend a lot of time in the car. Overall, it falls to the Princesses to soothe family divisions. They are struggling with Christmas." Speaking of the younger York sisters' stance, they added, "Eugenie was tempted to stay in Portugal with her family and husband Jack Brooksbank. She is so settled there, far from all the drama." Meanwhile, the royal expert pointed out that if Beatrice were to divide her celebrations between the three households, using a royal helicopter to commute would be a PR disaster. Unsurprisingly, Mountbatten-Windsor is not welcome at the Sandringham celebrations owing to his many recent scandals.
Similarly, in a conversation with the Daily Mail, royal expert Phil Dampier shared his thoughts on the King's Christmas snub and said, "If it turns out they [Andrew and Ferguson] are not invited, or decide themselves not to go, then it makes it very difficult for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie." He added that the York sisters may feel it would be unfair of them to go when their parents aren't there, and it simply rubbed salt in their wounds. He also noted, "The King has a soft spot for both Beatrice and Eugenie and feels sorry for the situation they are in. So it's a real dilemma for him and one he could do without."
Most recently, Beatrice invited Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson to her younger daughter Athena's christening on December 12. It marked Mountbatten-Windsor and Ferguson's first public appearance since they were stripped of their royal titles. Despite her father's controversial past actions, the Princess invited him, as she was allegedly worried about his dwindling mental health as his final days at Royal Lodge draws near.