The Mail on Sunday published the news, and it is quite striking. It appears Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have been excluded from Royal Ascot this year. They will not be allowed in the Royal Box or participate in the carriage procession, a tradition that has existed since 1825 and is one of the most iconic moments of the event.
The official reason is not a scheduling conflict. According to sources close to the palace, the decision stems from the scandal surrounding the House of York following the arrest of their father, former Prince Andrew, last month for alleged misconduct in public office, and unanswered questions about the family’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
What led to the princesses’ exclusion, and what role did Prince William play?
This extends beyond Ascot. As confirmed by the MoS, the exclusion is part of a broader decision to indefinitely remove Beatrice and Eugenie from all public events of the Firm.
High-level meetings were reportedly held at the Palace to assess the role of the princesses, as questions remain about their relationship with the pedophile financier, including potential financial ties.
William also reportedly advised the rest of the family to avoid appearing in photographs with them for the remainder of the year.
How Beatrice and Eugenie received the news
A source close to the palace said Beatrice was “completely taken by surprise” and is handling it worse than the other one. This makes sense, as Ascot was a favorite event of Queen Elizabeth II, and the carriage procession holds significant sentimental and symbolic value for the family.
There is also a logistical detail: traditionally, those participating in the procession spend the night before at Windsor Castle and dine with the family. In the current context, that is simply off the table.
What questions remain unanswered about Beatrice and Eugenie’s connections to Epstein? The scandal has multiple layers. It is known that the two princesses visited Epstein in Florida in 2009, days after he was released from prison following a conviction for child prostitution.