By Katherine Tinsley
10:43am PST, Dec 22, 2025
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and
Sarah Ferguson's ties to
Jeffrey Epstein resulted in them being exiled from The Firm. Despite the duo's fall from grace, King Charles III continues to include Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice in royal gatherings.
"Whatever you think of their parents, Beatrice and Eugenie have not been accused of doing anything wrong," royal correspondent
Jennie Bond told
The Mirror. "They have had to watch their parents being humiliated and publicly criticized over many years, and yet they have remained close to the rest of the royal family."
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"Their Grannie, the late Queen, showed them great affection and the King also seems keen to protect them," Jennie Bond continued. "So I think everyone would have been very welcoming at the Palace lunch."
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein continues to bring negative attention to the royal family. The ex-prince, who was close to the financier, was accused of assault by Virginia Giuffre.
"I imagine the 'elephant' in the room would be any discussion about Andrew and Sarah," Jennie Bond said of the potential gathering. "That would just be too awkward for all involved."
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Prince William seems to have a "particular sympathy" for Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, according to Jennie Bond.
"He had to endure endless publicity about his parents as he was growing up," Bond said. "Of course, the headlines then were for very different reasons: the disintegration of his parents' marriage. But it was still traumatic for a young boy. You have to feel for these young women."
