Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice with their dad Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (Image: GETTY)
With mounting controversy surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein, a PR expert has weighed in on what could be next for their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Newly released documents include alleged emails from Sarah to Epstein, dated after his conviction for sex offences.
In the messages, the former Duchess of York reportedly referred to him as “a legend”, joked about wanting to marry him, and made a crude remark about Princess Eugenie. It has also been claimed that Sarah took her daughters – then aged 19 and 20 – to see Epstein just days after his release from prison.
While the emails do not suggest any wrongdoing, the renewed controversy has reportedly left the sisters “mortified”.
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Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have remained silent through the controversy (Image: GETTY)
As the princesses continue to remain silent through the controversy, PR specialist Kayley Cornelius has warned against any moves to remove Eugenie and Beatrice’s royal titles.
She explained: “I believe that giving up their royal titles could backfire. At a time when public feeling is largely sympathetic, stepping away from those titles may feel unnecessary and premature.
“Giving up such a title should be a last resort. Under the current circumstances, it could unintentionally suggest guilt or wrongdoing, inviting further scrutiny rather than closure.”
In practise, the decision to remove the sisters’ royal titles will lie with King Charles, just as it was when he removed the titles of their father Andrew.
Kayley believes now could be the right time for them to define identities of their own and move on from their parents’ past.
“Public sympathy for Eugenie and Beatrice will be at an all-time high,” Kayley said. “The smartest approach is visibility without overexposure. Turning up, showing consistency, and quietly getting on with meaningful work will speak far louder than any formal statement ever could.
Giving up their titles could backfire, according to Kayley (Image: GETTY)
“With King Charles willing to take the York sisters under his wing, a great next move would be for them to begin engaging in royal duties.
“Carefully chosen charity work and low-key appearances could really benefit them, particularly if the causes feel authentic and future-focused.”
The PR expert believes this strategy “shows a sense of unity and a tight-knit community” that could benefit both the sisters and the Royal Family as a whole.
Amid the Epstein controversy, both Andrew and Sarah have been stripped of royal titles and privileges, including being forced out of the Royal Lodge.
Multiple charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust, have also removed Sarah as a patron or ambassador. More recently, her charity, Sarah’s Trust, announced it will close “for the foreseeable future”.
Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (Image: GETTY)
Looking ahead, the PR expert emphasised the importance of the sisters carving out clearly defined identities of their own.
“They will undoubtedly receive offers – from interviews to high-profile deals – to share their version of events and speak about their lives.
“While now isn’t the time for that, a carefully chosen reality or documentary-style appearance in a year or two could help reaffirm their public image and allow audiences to connect with them on a more human level,” she added.
Overall, she said the sisters’ goal “isn’t reinvention, but evolution”.
Andrew has previously expressed regret over his judgement in associating with Epstein but has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Representatives for Sarah Ferguson have been contacted regarding the newly released emails but have yet to make a comment.