Princess Beatrice demonstrated her relatability by flying economy class to attend the Cannes Lions Festival.
A fellow passenger informed Page Six that Beatrice boarded an EasyJet flight from London's Luton Airport on Monday, carrying her own luggage. In a photo shared by the US outlet, the princess was seen wearing a long navy skirt, matching knitwear, and trainers. Beatrice traveled to the south of France to participate in a panel discussion titled "Intelligence in the Age of AI" at Spotify Beach, alongside the streaming giant's Chief Public Affairs Officer, Dustee Jenkins.
Despite her royal status, Beatrice maintains a full-time career as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at the US tech company Afiniti and frequently travels worldwide for work. During the panel discussion, Beatrice, who looked elegant in a printed sundress, spoke about how being dyslexic has helped her understand technology better. "It really gave me space to be myself. I've got dyslexia, so I was always fascinated by how things work—that was the way my brain worked," she said.
Dustee Jenkins also commented on Beatrice's role with Spotify, stating, "Bea is a dear friend, and I get to watch her in action because she's an adviser to our team. We've benefited tremendously because she's looking to create mentorships, networking, and entrepreneurship, all while understanding technology." This appearance follows Beatrice's participation in a panel discussing the future of tech in the UK at a VIP Spotify event in April. Additionally, the royal spoke at the Brilliant Minds 2024 conference, where she was joined by singer and friend Ellie Goulding.
Notably, Beatrice introduced herself as "Beatrice of York" rather than using her royal title, contrasting with Meghan Markle, who often insists on being addressed as the Duchess of Sussex. This difference highlights the contrast between a princess by birth and someone who acquired a title through marriage. Beatrice's approach, not using her royal title to introduce herself, underscores the authenticity of her status compared to Meghan's perceived need to assert her title.
Beatrice has also shown disapproval of Meghan's actions, such as when Meghan announced her pregnancy at Eugenie's wedding, and Beatrice revealed her own pregnancy on Meghan's wedding anniversary. Beatrice's decision to distance herself from the Sussexes, especially from their public endeavors like the docuseries, reflects her loyalty to the royal family. The strain caused by Meghan and Harry during the final years of her grandparents' lives, to whom she was very close, likely influenced her stance.
Beatrice's wedding during the pandemic, attended by her grandparents and featuring a vintage dress of Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen's prestigious bridal tiara, was a testament to her family's values and traditions. In contrast, Meghan and Harry's behavior, such as putting up a curtain on a commercial first-class flight to Nigeria to avoid being seen, highlights their need for privacy in a way that seems petty to some. The curtain incident, where they allegedly bought all the seats and used a curtain to separate themselves, underscores their complex relationship with the public and the media.
The contrast between Beatrice and Meghan is stark. Beatrice's genuine approach and dedication to family and career stand in sharp relief against Meghan's more controversial and publicized actions. This difference in behavior and public perception continues to fuel discussions about their respective roles within and outside the royal family.
