She might be Her Royal Highness, but Princess Beatrice proved she's just like everyone else by flying economy to attend the Cannes Festival.
A fellow passenger told Page Six that Beatrice boarded the EasyJet flight from London's Luton Airport on Monday, even carrying her own luggage on board. In a photo shared by the U.S. 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 "Emotional 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 has a full-time career as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at the U.S. tech company Afiniti and frequently travels worldwide for work.
At the panel discussion, Beatrice, who looked elegant in a printed sundress, spoke about how being dyslexic has helped her in her role in technology. "It really gave me a 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. Meanwhile, Dustee Jenkins appeared to confirm Beatrice's role with Spotify, saying, "Beatrice is a dear friend, and I get to watch her in action because she's an advisor to our team. We've benefited tremendously from her efforts to create mentorships, networking opportunities, and entrepreneurship, all while understanding technology."
This appearance follows Beatrice's participation in a panel discussing the future of tech in the UK at VIP Spotify in April. She also 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, not by her royal title, Princess Beatrice, 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 is notably different from Meghan's. Beatrice didn't use her royal title to introduce herself, whereas Meghan often emphasizes her title. This difference underscores the authenticity of Beatrice's 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 when Beatrice revealed her own pregnancy on Meghan's wedding anniversary. Beatrice's decision to keep a distance from the Sussexes, especially from their public endeavors like the docuseries, reflects her loyalty to the Royal Family.
The pain caused by Meghan and Harry during the final year of her grandparents' lives, to whom she was very close, likely influenced Beatrice's stance. Beatrice's intimate 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 her 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.
