Princess Beatrice ‘has had rough ride’ due to Prince Andrew, expert says

Princesses and have endured a “pretty rough ride” in recent years due to the scandals surrounding their father, according to a royal expert.

withdrew from royal duties and gave up his HRH titles four years ago amid concerns about his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This was followed by a notorious Newsnight interview with journalist Emily Maitlis.

The interview has been thrust back into the limelight as Amazon released the three-part drama A Very Royal Scandal. It came after ‘s dramatised version of the saga, Scoop was released earlier this year.

Adding to Andrew’s woes, he is reportedly embroiled in a dispute with his elder brother, , over his living arrangements. Charles is said to be eager for Andrew to relocate from Royal Lodge to the smaller Frogmore Cottage, despite the Duke of York holding a lease on the property until 2078.

However, he is obliged to maintain the 19th-century grade-II listed property, raising questions about his ability to do so. Pop star James Blunt has reportedly commented that the York sisters have had a “rough ride”, a sentiment echoed by Mirror Royal Editor Russell Myers.

Speaking on Pod Save the King, he stated: “They’ve grown into confident and accomplished young women. They’re kind of damned if they do, damned if they don’t in terms of wanting to do charity work or what may be seen as royal duties.

“And I think when you look at their background, they have had a pretty privileged upbringing, of course, they are their father’s children and they have been guilty by association at times. It’s been a pretty rough ride for them and I think you can look back just a couple of weeks ago when Emily Maitlis said she was cornered by James Blunt, the singer, at a party basically saying ‘these two girls have had a rough ride because of their father’s misdemeanours and they don’t deserve it’.”

, 36, recently announced her second pregnancy with partner Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, which will make the baby 11th in line to the throne, moving , 34, to 12th. This year, the York sisters have attended Royal events, including a garden party in support of their cousin , while also pursuing their own careers, with Beatrice working as a technology consultant and Eugenie as an art director.

The King is said to have “no plans” to give Eugenie and Beatrice royal roles under his “slimmed-down monarchy”, but insiders believe William could be “eyeing them up” for future roles. Daily Mail Diary Editor Richard Eden said: “King Charles is said to see no role as working royals for his nieces, but there have been signs that could see the value in leaning on his cousins when he eventually ascends the throne.”

The Royal sisters are reportedly well-liked by the public. An insider revealed to Express.co.uk: “Beatrice and Eugenie are extremely popular with the public so it makes sense for the Royal Family to utilise that popularity. There were many discussions over the summer [Balmoral summit] about using Beatrice and Eugenie more at public facing events.

“The sisters will not be elevated to working royal status but they will step up in an unofficial capacity to support the family when needed and become more involved with causes close to their hearts.”