In the wake of Prince Andrew's arrest in February 2026 on charges of alleged misconduct in public office, his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have once again retreated from public life, marking a painful chapter in a family saga marked by scandal, resilience, and unwavering familial bonds. The former royal, stripped of his HRH titles by his brother King Charles III in October 2025, was accused of sharing confidential intelligence with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Released from jail within hours, Andrew's latest legal entanglement has left Beatrice and Eugenie grappling with the fallout, as sources close to the family describe the situation as "devastating."
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, once known as Prince Andrew, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson shared a tumultuous marriage from 1986 to 1996, during which they welcomed two daughters: Princess Beatrice in 1988 and Princess Eugenie in 1990. Despite their divorce, the couple has maintained an amicable relationship, often prioritizing their roles as parents and grandparents. "He’s such a good man," Sarah said of her former husband during a 2023 appearance on Good Morning Britain. "I think the spotlight needs to come off him and let him get on with his life to rebuild. He’s a very good grandfather."
The York family's story took a darker turn in 2019 when Virginia Giuffre accused Andrew of sexual assault when she was 17 years old, filing a lawsuit that he vehemently denied. The case settled out of court for an undisclosed sum the following year, prompting Andrew to step back from his duties as a senior working royal. Neither Beatrice nor Eugenie publicly commented on the allegations at the time, but insiders revealed the emotional toll on the sisters. "Eugenie’s husband and Beatrice’s fiancé [Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi] are standing by them and are doing everything they can to distract the girls from the situation and calm them down," a source told Us Weekly in December 2019. The insider added that the princesses were "going through hell" but stayed in close contact with their father, with Beatrice speaking to him most days.
Amid the scandal, family milestones provided moments of normalcy. In October 2018, Andrew walked Eugenie down the aisle at her wedding to Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, a poignant public appearance just a year before the Giuffre accusations surfaced. Eugenie, who had been diagnosed with scoliosis at age 12, has often credited her mother for her strength. "My mum caught my scoliosis early and I was lucky enough to get the help I needed at 12 years old," Eugenie wrote on Instagram in June 2024. "I thank her so much for that and also thank her for the confidence to be proud of my scar. She removed all the stigma around having scoliosis for me by confidently showing people what I’d been through and it took all the fear and anxiety out of being different at such a young age. I am forever grateful and wish everyone to be proud of their scars."
Beatrice's path to family life continued despite the surrounding controversies. She became engaged to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in September 2019, throwing a lavish party that December from which Andrew was notably absent. The couple married in July 2020 in a private ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor, attended by a small group due to COVID-19 restrictions. Beatrice gave birth to their daughter Sienna in September 2021 and welcomed a second daughter, Athena, in January 2025. She is also stepmother to Edoardo's son Wolfie from a previous relationship.
Eugenie and Jack's family grew with the arrival of their son August in February 2021, followed by son Ernest in June 2023. Sarah, reflecting on her daughter's impending motherhood in a January 2021 interview with Us Weekly, expressed optimism. "Having not had my own mother around, I’ve always been determined to be a very present mother with my children, and I know Eugenie will be the same with hers," she said. "She is incredibly empathetic and will be a great mother. She is a very strong and determined person, always looking for the truth in all she does."
Sarah Ferguson has been a hands-on grandmother, often babysitting her grandchildren who affectionately call her "GG." In a June 2023 episode of her podcast Tea Talks, she shared a tender anecdote: "While Beatrice was away in Jordan [for the royal wedding], I was allowed to have Sienna over to play and to stay with me. It was very nice. The last couple of days, I’ve managed to really have a bond [with her], and guess what my bond is? I gave her a little sip of tea out of my teacup!"
The family's unity was tested further when Sarah faced her own health battles. Diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2023, she underwent a mastectomy and was later found to have skin cancer in January 2024. "The whole York family has rallied round, and I couldn’t have got through it without them," she told Platinum magazine in July 2024. "My girls in particular have been rock solid in their support. We always call ourselves ‘the tripod’ as we are there to prop each other up through thick and thin, and they have certainly demonstrated that in recent months." Beatrice echoed her mother's resilience during a May 2024 appearance on This Morning, saying, "She’s such a phenomenal icon. As a mum she’s been amazing, she’s been through so much and her sense of purpose and resilience really keeps me going. At 64 she’s thriving; she’s been through so much, but I think really now she’s coming into her own."
Andrew's formal removal from royal duties in October 2025 by King Charles III came after years of pressure, solidifying his status outside the working monarchy. Yet, the 2026 arrest escalated the crisis. Authorities alleged that Andrew had shared sensitive information with Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. A source told Us Weekly in March 2026 that "Eugenie and Beatrice have had to change their upcoming public-facing plans and future plans this year. They aren’t as worried about Andrew being arrested and going to jail, but they are still horrified that he’s involved in this and worry there could be more to come."
The sisters' withdrawal from public events underscores the ongoing strain. They skipped the royal family's Easter Sunday service in April 2026 at St. George's Chapel and have indicated they will miss the Royal Ascot horse race in June 2026. "They are not actually planning on doing any public events in the near future because of everything surrounding their parents because they know that will be the focus," a second insider reported to Us Weekly. Previous scandals, including infidelities during Andrew and Sarah's marriage and financial controversies, have prepared the family for turbulence, but sources emphasize this as the most severe yet.
Throughout the years, Beatrice and Eugenie have carved out independent lives away from the full glare of the monarchy. Eugenie serves as a director at the Hauser & Wirth art gallery in London, while Beatrice works in business and philanthropy. Their marriages to non-royals—Edoardo, a property developer, and Jack, a brand ambassador—have provided stability. Insiders note that the couples' support has been crucial, with the husbands helping to shield the princesses from media scrutiny.
The York family's dynamics highlight the complexities of royal life post-divorce and scandal. Sarah and Andrew continue to share the Royal Lodge in Windsor, maintaining a united front for their daughters and grandchildren. Despite the arrests and accusations, family sources stress their commitment to privacy and healing. As one insider put it in 2019, marrying into the royal family comes with "its ups and downs," a sentiment that resonates even more today.
Looking ahead, the implications for Beatrice and Eugenie remain uncertain. With Andrew's legal matters potentially unfolding further, the sisters may extend their time out of the spotlight, focusing on their young families. Sarah's recovery and the grandchildren's milestones offer glimmers of hope amid the adversity. For a family long defined by public scrutiny, the path to normalcy will require navigating uncharted territory once more.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).