Princess Beatrice was spotted driving into Royal Lodge this afternoon (October 20), reportedly visiting her father Prince Andrew just days after he gave up his royal title and remaining honours.
The visit comes following Andrew’s bombshell announcement on Friday, October 17.
In a statement issued via Buckingham Palace, Andrew revealed he would no longer use his Duke of York title. He cited the “continued accusations” against him as a distraction from the work of King Charles and the royal family.
Princess Beatrice ‘visits Prince Andrew’ at Royal Lodge
Photos published by the Daily Mail captured Beatrice driving her Range Rover into her parents’ Windsor estate, Royal Lodge, where Andrew lives with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
She reportedly left the 30-room mansion looking sombre.
Prince Andrew has faced headlines this past week due to the upcoming release of his accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir as well as resurfaced emails he allegedly sent Jeffrey Epstein. For years, Andrew’s alleged association with late convicted sex offender Epstein has rocked the royal family.
In 2021, Ms Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew in the US, accusing him of sexual assault. She alleged that she was made to sleep with Prince Andrew on three occasions when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
Ms Giuffre’s memoir will reportedly detail her alleged meetings with the prince in the early 2000s. Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied all allegations against him.
Amid all the scandal, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams described it as “a deeply painful period” for both Beatrice and her sister, Princess Eugenie.
Although the princesses will remain welcome at family events like Christmas at Sandringham, they have reportedly distanced themselves from the public spotlight.
Over the weekend, they were expected to attend the Pink Ball at the British Museum, according to HELLO!. However, they reportedly didn’t attend.
Prince Andrew gives up royal titles
Last week, Andrew announced his decision to give up his dukedom and remaining royal honours.
As well as his title, Prince Andrew has given up membership of the Order of the Garter. He became a Knight of the Garter in 2006.
However, Andrew remains a prince as he was given that title at birth as the second son of Queen Elizabeth II. In his statement, he said: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Days later, the Met Police announced it was “actively looking” into claims the prince had asked his police protection officer to investigate Ms Giuffre in 2011.
Beatrice and Eugenie are ‘unfortunate victims’
Royal expert Katie Nicholl called Beatrice and Eugenie “the most unfortunate victims” in the situation. “It can’t be easy to see their parents dragged through something like this,” she noted. “They remain very much loved nieces of the king.”
Their mother, Sarah Ferguson, has also faced backlash over her past association with Epstein.
I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond echoed this.
“They’re extremely close to their parents and have stayed loyal through thick and thin,” she told The Mirror. “I’m sure they’ll be supporting Andrew and Sarah through this latest crisis, just as they have been there for them in the past.”
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