Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have reportedly been told they will not attend Royal Ascot this year, according to claims published by The Mail on Sunday. Sources cited by the newspaper allege that the sisters will not take their customary seats in the Royal Box at the Berkshire racing event in June and will also be excluded from joining senior royals in the traditional Royal Procession.
The reported decision follows the recent arrest of their father, Prince Andrew, on his 66th birthday. He was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office on 19 February after the latest release of files related to convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein by the US Department of Justice. Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
Police carried out searches at his addresses, and he was released after eleven hours in custody. Thames Valley Police previously confirmed it was reviewing allegations that Andrew may have shared sensitive information during his time as the UK’s trade envoy. No further updates have been released since his arrest.
What this means for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
Andrew became the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested, raising immediate questions about the position of his former wife Sarah Ferguson and their daughters, who continue to hold their royal titles.
Beatrice and Eugenie have long been regulars at Royal Ascot, an event that blends high society, fashion, and royal tradition. Each June, members of the Royal Family arrive at the racecourse in horse-drawn carriages before watching the races from the Royal Enclosure. For years, the York sisters have been photographed alongside other royals during the five-day event.
Royal Ascot 2026 is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, 16 June to Saturday, 20 June.
According to The Mail on Sunday, both sisters were reportedly “blindsided” by the decision. One source claimed Beatrice has taken the development particularly hard, suggesting she was unprepared for the sudden change.
Another source alleged that the situation extends beyond Ascot, hinting at a broader move to keep the sisters away from public-facing royal events for the remainder of the year. The claim suggests that senior royals have been advised against appearing in photographs with them during this period.
Wider implications within the royal circle
Reports indicate that discussions have been held at the palace regarding the public roles Beatrice and Eugenie should play amid the renewed scrutiny surrounding their parents. Both Andrew and Ferguson have been referenced in documents connected to the Epstein case, though being named in such files does not imply criminal wrongdoing.
Since Andrew’s arrest, Ferguson and her daughters have maintained a low public profile.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams previously told The Express that the sisters may gradually retreat from visible royal duties. He suggested they could step back from charitable roles and maintain a quieter presence moving forward.
At present, no official confirmation has been issued by Buckingham Palace regarding the sisters’ attendance at Royal Ascot. As with many royal matters, much remains speculative, and further clarification may emerge closer to the event.
