Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie avoided attending Prince Harry's Invictus event in London last week due to fears of causing a divide within the royal family.
The Princesses of York are known for their close relationship with Prince Harry. However, they chose to distance themselves from him as King Charles has not included them in royal duties, partly due to concerns about information leaks.
Earlier this month, Harry returned to the UK for a brief visit to attend the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London. Neither Princess Beatrice nor Princess Eugenie attended the event, and no other members of the royal family were present either. Royal insider Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News that Beatrice and Eugenie would not have attended the event without the King’s approval. He stated, “Beatrice and Eugenie wouldn’t have been expected to be there because that would have been a sign of a split in the royal family. You’d have had royals there, some there and not others, and that would have been seized on."
Despite their close relationship with Harry, Beatrice and Eugenie would not have attended the event without consulting King Charles. Fitzwilliams added, "If you had any members of the royal family going, it would have been perceived as a split."
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are not working members of the royal family; however, they do attend engagements and hold patronages. They are ninth and eleventh in the line of succession to the throne. Despite not being working royals, it has been rumored that King Charles has considered asking them to take on more responsibilities while he, William, and Catherine are somewhat sidelined.
However, Beatrice and Eugenie would be off the list if they disappointed the King and the entire royal family by siding with Harry and Meghan. These women are intelligent and understand the importance of maintaining their standing within the royal family. A friend of the sisters told The Daily Beast that while Beatrice and Eugenie are close to Harry and Meghan, it seems the princesses are not being utilized by the royal family. Although they have expressed a desire to be of service, especially with their father, Prince Andrew, being accepted back into the fold, they are upset to be overlooked by the King.
The sisters realize the issue lies in their relationship with the Sussexes. They are aware they must choose one side, which is awkward but ultimately understandable. King Charles is just following the rules established by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Charles is fond of the York girls, but everyone, including them, accepts that being part-time working royals isn't an option. The princesses can't be trusted with royal duties if they maintain a close relationship with Harry and Meghan, as there is a risk of information leaks.
