Andrew’s daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are said to be in ‘a state’ after the former duke’s arrest on his 66th birthday

Eugenie, Sarah Ferguson and Beatrice(Image: PA)

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have been left ‘in a state’ following Andrew’s arrest, it is claimed. The former prince’s arrest has been ‘catastrophic for Sarah Ferguson and the girls’, according to a royal source.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday (February 19) following allegations made against him after the release of files related to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The arrest came as revelations about the former prince and Epstein increased in recent weeks, after the latest tranche of documents released by the US government which included pictures of him fully clothed, kneeling on all fours over a woman lying on the ground.

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Thames Valley Police previously said the force was reviewing allegations after emails released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show Andrew sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore with the disgraced financier, the Mirror reports.

His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie have not commented publicly on his arrest and the ongoing allegations from the Epstein files – but privately, the daughters are said to be trying their hardest “to put a brave face on it”.

One royal source is said to have told The Telegraph: “This is catastrophic for her and the girls. She seems to be doing her best to put a brave face on it. Her desperation for money was clear stupidity but does that equate to what she’s going through now?” Another claimed the girls were “in a state” following the high-profile arrest of Andrew at his new home, Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor returning after leaving police custody(Image: Getty Images)

Sarah Ferguson is said to be currently staying in the United Arab Emirates following a short stint in the French Alps with friends. She has come under increased scrutiny over her own dealings with Epstein following the release of a tranche of messages she exchanged with him after he was released from jail.

In documents released last month, the former duchess appears to say to Epstein: “I am at your service. Just marry me.” In another email exchange from September 21 2011, she apparently wrote: “Don’t know if you are still on this bbm but heard from The Duke that you have had a baby boy.

“Even though you never kept in touch, I still am here with love, friendship and congratualtions (sic) on your baby boy. Sarah xx”

Eugenie’s most recent public appearance came earlier this month, when she was spotted visiting an art fair in Qatar as part of her work with art dealer Hauser and Wirth – for which she has faced criticism. The 35-year-old was snapped beaming as model Caroline Daur, 30, draped an arm around her, later tagging her in a social media post about Art Basel 2026 which read: “Reunion. It’s been too long.”

Beatrice’s husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, was last spotted in Palm Beach, Florida. He shared photographs and footage on his Instagram account, which doubles as the page for his property firm Banda, on February 9. Snaps showed him on a palm tree-lined street and at various other Florida locations – though Beatrice was absent from the post.

King Charles said yesterday that the “law must take its course” following Andrew’s arrest and pledged “support and co-operation” with the police. A Palace statement said: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all’.”