Princesses Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will not join the royal family for Easter this year, in a move that highlights their changing position within the monarchy as King Charles refines the roles of non-working royals.
The York sisters are understood to have made alternative plans for the holiday in agreement with their uncle, King Charles, as the royal family prepares to attend the traditional Easter Matins Service at St George’s Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle.
While the pair joined the royal family for Christmas celebrations, their absence from Easter — along with reports they will also miss the Royal Ascot racing carnival — suggests a gradual narrowing of the monarchy’s public-facing circle.
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“I’ve spoken to my friend who works at Ascot, and they said the girls have been told they can’t be there this year,” a source told the Daily Mail.
“Beatrice has taken it the hardest. She’s been completely blindsided by all of this,” the insider added.
King Charles has long signalled his intention to streamline the monarchy, placing greater focus on senior working royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, while limiting the public roles of extended family members.
Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 35, are not working royals but have historically attended major family events, including church services and national celebrations.
Their reduced public presence comes amid renewed scrutiny surrounding their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whose ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continue to generate controversy.
Andrew stepped back from public duties in 2019 following a BBC interview addressing his relationship with Epstein.
Queen Elizabeth later stripped him of his military titles and patronages after a judge rejected his attempt to have Virginia Giuffre’s sexual assault lawsuit dismissed. He settled the matter out of court for an undisclosed sum.
In recent months, further attention has been drawn to Andrew following the release of email exchanges linked to Epstein and the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025 at 41.
In the book, she wrote that Andrew “believed having sex with me was his birthright,” describing three occasions Epstein allegedly arranged for her to meet him beginning at age 17.
Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Police are also investigating allegations that Andrew shared confidential information with Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
Meanwhile, Sarah Ferguson has also appeared in documents linked to Epstein, including correspondence suggesting she had sought financial assistance and advice relating to charitable work.
Despite the controversy surrounding their parents, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are understood to remain on good terms with senior members of the royal family and are expected to attend future private gatherings.
A source recently told People that the pair have been trying to “stay away” from the controversy surrounding their parents.
“They have young children, and this is their grandfather — their focus is on protecting their own children from this,” the insider said.
Princess Eugenie is mother to sons August, 5, and Ernest, 2, with her husband Jack Brooksbank, while Beatrice shares daughters Sienna, 4, and Athena, 1, with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. She is also stepmother to his son Christopher ‘Wolfie’ Woolf.
While King Charles is said to remain “very fond” of his nieces, Prince William has long been viewed as supporting a firmer approach towards addressing ongoing controversy connected to Prince Andrew.
“William wants it all cleaned out before he gets (on the throne),” royal biographer Andrew Lownie recently revealed.
“He wants it dealt with now.”
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028.