Princess Beatrice has been left “absolutely devastated” by her father, Prince Andrew’s latest scandal, it has been claimed. The King’s brother had a deeper fall from grace recently after new updates regarding his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and a posthumous memoir by his abuse accuser, the late Virginia Giuffre, which resulted in him giving up his titles and honours.
Andrew is also facing increasing calls to leave Royal Lodge, which has been his home since 2003, when he was granted a 75-year lease from the Crown Estate. According to royal sources, his daughter, Princess Beatrice, who was recently pictured looking distressed at her father’s estate, has been deeply affected by her father’s drama.
A royal source told the Mail: “She was on the phone saying she couldn’t bring herself to look at the Sunday papers. She looked absolutely devastated.”
The latest furore about Prince Andrew has not left his former wife, Sarah Ferguson unaffacted. Fergie has also lost her Duchess of York title, while other bombshells about her own links to Epstein has sparked fury.
Speaking to the outlet, royal commentator Ingrid Seward said: “Giving up their [Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie] titles would give them freedom from their parents, stop them being tarred with the same brush and be a clear sign that they want to make their own way in the world.
“I think people would hugely respect them for it and, I think, ultimately, they would be happier.”
The King’s brother is said to be in talks with Charles’ representatives about leaving Royal Lodge voluntarily following the furore over the “peppercorn” rent for his 30-room mansion, but is reluctant to give up his residence of more than 20 years.
The Daily Telegraph said the sticking points in the talks are the location of his new home and financial compensation for funds spent on the lodge.
The newspaper said Andrew was resistant but there was a sense of inevitability about the prince, believed to be Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite child, giving up his home.