The year 1992 was an “Annus Horribilis” for Queen Elizabeth II after the Windsor Castle fire, Andrew and Fergie’s separation, Princess Anne’s divorce and Charles and Diana announcing they were also splitting up. For Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, 2026 could instead be their ‘Annus Anonymous’ – as Prince William’s efforts to stop the royal Epstein rot leave them high society outcasts.
It’s no secret that Prince William or Princess Catherine have been horrified by the details unearthed about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s and Sarah Ferguson’s relationship with US financier Jeffrey Epstein. But William and Kate have also reportedly been left unimpressed by the Epstein Files’ details relating to Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35 – after we discovered they flew to New York with their mum to greet the paedophile on his release from prison.
Already it is understood that the Prince of Wales has told the Princesses they cannot join the Royal Family at Royal Ascot this year amid concerns about the unfolding scandal involving the House of York.
And now it’s claimed William has advised other royals not to be pictured with Beatrice or Eugenie for the rest of the year.
Sources say the sisters, whose names appear several times in the Files, may not be able to attend Monday’s Commonwealth Day service, at Westminster Abbey.
The sisters may also be banned from the Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor next month, as well as the three Royal Garden Parties scheduled for May.
The move is said to have “completely blindsided” married mothers Beatrice and Eugenie, who are already reeling from their father’s arrest last month at his temporary Wood Farm home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
So what can they do? Their only option is to ride out the Epstein storm, choke back their humiliation and pray.
Both Eugenie and Beatrice are regular fixtures at Royal Ascot, as well as joining their family at the Easter Sunday and Commonwealth Day services.
They have also been pictured attending previous royal Garden Parties alongside the King and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
If the pair defy the edict, it has been suggested Prince William and Princess Catherine would consider not attending Royal Ascot – if Eugenie and Beatrice show up at the track.
Catherine and William are said to be wary of the pair and simply do not want to be pictured next to them at the posh society horse racing event of the year.
A source has said being frozen out of high society events would be a hammer blow to the siblings.
They explained: “Beatrice has taken it the hardest. She’s been completely blindsided by all of this.”
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Royal Ascot was a favourite event of the late Queen Elizabeth, and the Procession – which sees senior royals brought into the Royal Enclosure in carriages – has been a ceremonial tradition since 1825.
However, the source added that it would be impossible for the pair to attend because, traditionally, those who are part of the carriage procession stay at Windsor Castle the night before and have dinner with the family.
Last December, William and Kate were careful to avoid being photographed walking alongside the Princesses at the royals’ Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.
Only time will tell if this ends up being a masterstroke by William or a disaster – amid fears an outright ban on the sisters could send them into the welcome arms of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in California.
As a vocal opponent of the traditional ‘Institution’ behind the Royal Family, it is thought Harry may welcome the sisters, winning public sympathy against ‘The Firm’ if they are treated too harshly.
This year it could be an Annus Anonymous – what the sisters won’t want is a ‘Decennium Solus’, or ’10 years alone’ in the royal wilderness.
But for now, the sisters may have to watch Royal Ascot like 99.9% of the rest of the UK … on the telly.