Royal Butler Explains Why William Will Never Make Beatrice a Working Royal: ‘She Has Been Very...'

Prince William and Princess Beatrice share a close bond and are often pictured joking around at royal events. Despite Prince Andrew’s many tumultuous scandals, William is said to harbor a soft corner for his cousin sister. While all seems well between the pair, former royal butler Grant Harrold claimed William’s love for Beatrice is not enough to grant her a full-time working royal role. He revealed this is because the Princess of York has her own independent career and prefers to remain out of the spotlight, away from the monarchy’s daily grind.

Both Beatrice and Princess Eugenie do not undertake official royal engagements on behalf of the Crown. As reported by the Royal Insider, Harrold explained, "Beatrice has her own career, so I don’t see William making her a senior member of the working royals. They pull ranks when they need the support, and she has been known to step up. But she has a job and does her own thing. She’s still such a valued member of the family." The former butler also commended Beatrice for her diplomatic approach to rifts within the royal family. Reportedly, the Princess has worked to maintain her bond with Prince Harry, despite his feud with William and the rest of the royal family. 

Beatrice recently celebrated her 37th birthday on August 8 with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and her two young daughters. Commenting on the same, Harrold continued, "I think Beatrice will go for a quiet and private affair with best wishes from the whole family, and a nice gift from King Charles. He doesn't tend to give money, so I imagine he would give Beatrice a piece of jewelry." Despite not being a working royal, she is known as the family's 'secret weapon' for balancing royal duties with her full-time job. The former butler added, "King Charles and Queen Camilla remain close to both Beatrice and Eugenie. Beatrice is well-liked across the royal family and often steps in to support." 

Beatrice currently serves as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at tech company Afiniti and, for years, has led a company programme that connects senior business leaders worldwide to champion women in leadership. She also promotes the cause through charitable work and public speaking. Her previous roles include positions at the Foreign Office and Sony Pictures. Meanwhile, Eugenie works as a director at the Mayfair art gallery Hauser & Wirth. The sisters prefer to stay away from the pomp and circumstance of royal events and prefer to lead relatively normal lives.

Regarding her future under William’s reign, GB News reports that the Prince of Wales allegedly plans to strip Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children of their HRH titles as non-working royals when he becomes King, in line with his plans for a 'slimmed-down monarchy.' Beatrice and Eugenie currently hold HRH titles but, like the Sussexes, do not carry out royal duties. If William’s plans proceed, the York sisters would lose their titles as non-working royals. However, if William decides to give Beatrice and Eugenie expanded royal roles, the sisters could have a chance to retain their HRH titles.