Is Kate Middleton's warm gesture putting Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie in an awkward position?

According to royal commentator Neil Sean, the Princess of Wales extended invitations to the sisters for her annual "Royal Carols: Together at Christmas" service despite the public downfall of their parents, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson.

Unfortunately, Beatrice and Eugenie might have to make a difficult decision about whether to attend.

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Kate extends an invite

Although the former Duke and Duchess of York were banished from royal life, Kate wants to keep Beatrice and Eugenie in the fold.

"Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie received personal invitations for this year's 'Together at Christmas' from Princess Catherine's office," Sean told Fox News Digital.

"This is Kate's project and she has the final say — very similar to the way Prince William operates Earthshot," he said, referencing the Prince of Wales' annual awards ceremony.

"Above all, yes, the royal family wants to be seen as united amid what has been a very difficult year," the reporter added.

Beatrice and Eugenie's 'dilemma'

While the summons is thoughtful, Beatrice and Eugenie could receive unwanted press if they attend.

"This puts the sisters in a very difficult dilemma," Sean said.

"If they don't attend, it looks like they're snubbing a prestigious invite. If they do attend, they know there could be a media circus with them at the center of attention," he continued.

The siblings have appeared at the holiday event numerous times in years past.

Kate's fifth annual holiday event

It's the fifth year the former Duchess of Cambridge will host the musical event, which is typically attended by numerous members of the royal family.

"This year, the service will bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms — whether it's love within families, through friendships, across communities or through powerful moments of connection with strangers," Buckingham Palace said in a statement via People.

"In a world that can often feel fragmented and disconnected, love is the force that reconnects us all. Spanning generations, communities, cultures and faiths," The Firm continued.

"As we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded of the power of togetherness. The evening will highlight the transformative power of investing in one another with compassion, presence and joy," the statement concluded.

Kate supports Beatrice and Eugenie

Beatrice and Eugenie have been largely spared from the scandal involving their parents' dealings with Jeffrey Epstein.

"Prince William is certainly in no mood to forgive and forget the scandal that Andrew and Sarah have brought forward," Sean told People.

"However, Kate believes in not assigning blame. The idea is that the sisters would make a low-key entrance and show support," he added.

Why Kate shouldn't have sent an invite

Reporter Jasmine Carey thinks Beatrice and Eugenie should stay home this year.

"While they are not involved in their father's scandals and have not lost their royal titles like their parents have, Beatrice and Eugenie's attendance could actually overshadow the event," she wrote for the Daily Express.

"Since Andrew has dominated the royal spotlight and plunged the royal family into a crisis over the last few months, Beatrice and Eugenie's every move has been watched," she added.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are continuing to forge their own paths in Montecito.

"She doesn't call herself a celebrity, this year it is clear for all to see that she has firmly entered this new world of flashing cameras, red carpets, interviews, A-lister parties and podcasts, more than she ever has before. While she is still Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, I feel like she is now Meghan, L.A. celebrity," royal reporter Jasmine Carey wrote in Daily Express.

"While being in the celebrity sphere will no doubt benefit Meghan and her As Ever business, like it does with all celebrities, it also gives her and her husband, Prince Harry, one major difference that they will have to overcome," Carey continued.

Before marrying Harry, Meghan was best known as an actress in Suits, but her profile skyrocketed when she joined the royal family. Since returning to California, Meghan has cozied up to Hollywood A-listers such as Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Kris Jenner and Beyoncé. Even though Harry attends industry events with his wife, Carey argued he's there as a royal, not a peer.

"And that is the difference in celebrity status. Because while Meghan can now probably count herself as a celeb, Prince Harry can't, and probably never will — instead he will always be a royal, even if not a working one," Carey said.

"As a royal expert, I can't see Harry ever changing this and entering the celebrity sphere. What would he do – Acting? Singing? Influencing online? I just can't see it," the commentator added.

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The Sussexes secured lucrative media contracts as a team, but Meghan has been the standout figure. After the duchess' show With Love, Meghan premiered on Netflix, CEO Ted Sarandos praised the polarizing figure.

"One thing we learned early with Meghan… she has remarkable influence—remarkable," Sarandos said on Emma Grede's "Aspire" podcast. "So when we did the documentary on her and Harry, the trailer, when we ran the trailer announcing it, people… hundreds of people… broke down every frame of the trailer."

"The $20 shoes that she got from … a village that was making these shoes sold out all over the world," he continued. "And the $1,500 blanket that was on the chair sold out all over the world. She has incredible power and influence. So that for me, it's like, 'Okay well how can we enable this to be a more holistic thing?' So that's what that relationship is about."

A viral TikTok video caught Princess Anne brushing off a rude student during a university visit in Russia.

"How does it feel having Buckingham Palace as your private property?" the scholar asked Anne.

"Well, I don't know because it isn't," the princess replied. "No, it's a state-owned establishment. I wasn't actually born there, I have my office there, and the Queen [Queen Elizabeth II] lives there, but it's not really private property."

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Princess Anne's witty response to a Russian student during a visit to Moscow in 1990 #princessanne #royalfamily #britishmonarchy

♬ original sound – Royal Family Express

Fans of the royal rushed to the comments section to praise Anne's quick-witted response. "Love the Princess Royal! She's humble and a class act," one user wrote. "She's wonderful! Such a true treasure," another added.

Though the clip is from 1990, Anne's commitment to the monarchy hasn't wavered.

"I don't think there's a retirement program on this particular life," Anne said, per the BBC. "It really isn't written in, no."

With Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor no longer being senior royals, Anne's role within the monarchy has expanded.

"How can Princess Anne retire? The slimmed-down monarchy needs her," British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. "Her quick mind is perfect for her work with the 300+ charities, organizations and military regiments in the U.K. and overseas. She gives great value to all and has done so since her first public engagement at age 18."

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams agreed with Chard's comments.

"Princess Anne has made it clear she disagrees with the concept, associated with King Charles, of a slimmed-down monarchy," Fitzwilliams noted. "Her point was that it was already slimmed down without the Sussexes and Prince Andrew. It is certainly no surprise that the member of the royal family who usually is the hardest-working royal has no plans to retire. Senior working members of the royal family rarely do."

King Charles III has a soft spot for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

According to a source, His Majesty hasn't ruled out giving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson's daughters larger roles within The Firm despite the fallout from their parents' ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

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Charles' fondness for Beatrice and Eugenie

Although the former Duke and Duchess of York were stripped of their titles and banished from royal life, Charles won't let scandal keep Beatrice and Eugenie from working for the family in a larger capacity.

"It was something that was being looked at before recent events, but despite what has happened with Andrew, it's not off the cards," an insider told Vanity Fair.

"Whatever people might think of Andrew, the girls are kind, hardworking and want to help if they can," the source added. "The monarch is fond of his nieces and doesn't want them to suffer because of their father's downfall."

Charles 'testing' Beatrice and Eugenie

The king is reportedly "testing the water" to gauge public reaction to his nieces — who are not working royals — despite the drama surrounding their mom and dad.

"There was no deal struck about the future for Beatrice and Eugenie. They are private individuals in that respect, but there have been talks for some time about using them when and if there is a need," a second source told the publication.

"For their part, they have let it be known that they are more than willing to do public duties if and when they can to support the king," the insider said.

Eugenie's role in Charles' mentor foundation

Eugenie recently signed on to serve as a mentor for Charles' foundation to help others achieve success.

"It was fantastic to spend more time with the 35 under 35, who are such an incredible group of talented young people," the art director said in a statement.

"I have enjoyed getting to know them better and hearing about their work and aspirations and look forward to supporting their journeys into the future," she continued.

"My career has been shaped by a passion for the arts, so it's a pleasure to be working with The King's Foundation to support this inspirational group of artists and creatives," she added.

Charles wants to protect Beatrice and Eugenie

Royal expert Ingrid Seward believes Charles will make sure Beatrice and Eugenie continue to feel supported.

"What it means to my mind, is that the king is determined to embrace his nieces, both Beatrice and Eugenie, and bring them into the royal fold in a way where they don't feel they're just being gratuitously pulled in, but they're actually doing something for it," the commentator told The Sun.

"I think that Charles feels quite responsible for these two girls, because it's been a hideous time for them. Really hideous," she continued. "They've both got young children and I know they've got supportive husbands, but they've both got young children and I think it's been very, very difficult."

Keeping Beatrice and Eugenie a part of the family

As Beatrice and Eugenie navigate their parents' downfall, the two will retain their titles and still be allowed to help The Firm.

"This is the very kind side of the king, to embrace them and give them something that they can actually do, so they don't feel that they're just lucky if they go there for Christmas lunch, sort of thing," Seward said.

"They're actually part of the royal family, and they can do their bit, which I think is important to them," she added.

Princess Diana made a shocking confession in the days before her death.

According to a friend, the late Princess of Wales believed she made one major mistake regarding her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

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Diana regretted the Panorama interview

During an August 1997 trip to Greece, Diana allegedly told friend Rosa Monckton that she felt guilty about how her bombshell Panorama interview would affect her kids.

"She told me she regretted doing it because of the harm she thought it had done to her boys," Monckton told People.

What Diana said in the interview

The 1995 sit-down with journalist Martin Bashir shocked the world as the mother of two talked candidly about the infidelity in her marriage to King Charles III and her personal struggles with herself and The Firm.

"We went abroad, we had separate apartments, albeit we were on the same floor, so of course that was leaked and that caused complications," Diana revealed about the illusion of her relationship with the monarch.

"But Charles and I had our duty to perform and that was paramount," she continued. "We were a very good team in public."

Revelations about the interview

A 2021 inquiry led by senior judge Lord Dyson revealed that Bashir allegedly used fake documents and lies to secure the interview with Diana. BBC executives reportedly covered up the scheme.

The media personality allegedly scared the philanthropist by telling her that Charles wanted to kill her and was spying on her via William's wristwatch.

"She was frail and that made her susceptible to Bashir," Monckton told People. "[Bashir] told her she couldn't talk about it. She cut people out because of that."

William's take on the interview

Both William and Harry have spoken publicly about their mother's tell-all interview. The 43-year-old Prince of Wales claimed Diana was lured to talk to Bashir by "fear, paranoia and isolation."

"What saddens me most is that if the BBC had properly investigated the complaints and concerns first raised in 1995, my mother would have known that she had been deceived," William said in a public statement following Dyson's investigation.

"She was failed not just by a rogue reporter but by leaders at the BBC who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions," he added.

Harry blames interview for Diana's death

The Duke of Sussex directly linked the interview to the car crash that took his mother's life at 36.

"[Our] mother was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to service. She was resilient, brave and unquestionably honest. The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life," Harry said in a 2021 statement.

"To those who have taken some form of accountability, thank you for owning it," he noted of the inquiry. "That is the first step towards justice and truth. Yet what deeply concerns me is that practices like these — and even worse — are still widespread today."

"Then and now, it's bigger than one outlet, one network, or one publication," he added.

"Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed," Harry concluded. "By protecting her legacy, we protect everyone and uphold the dignity with which she lived her life. Let's remember who she was and what she stood for."

Meghan Markle, who was recently featured in Harper's Bazaar, has been accused of copying Princess Diana for a photoshoot.

"[When I first heard about it] I thought, no way, surely she would never lean into that. Then I saw the photos, and it is undeniable," PR expert Renae Smith told Daily Express. "These are not gentle references or sweet tributes. They are copies. That cross-legged one on the floor? Stop it!"

"From a PR perspective, it is such a bad idea," Smith continued. "It is confusing, it is provocative in the wrong way, and it puts her straight back beneath the royal shadow she always bloody insists she wants to get away from."

Oh Lordy, how can people not see that she's cosplays Diana. It's beyond creepy. pic.twitter.com/Q2OLimHvso

— According2Taz (@according2_taz) November 20, 2025

Meghan, who has publicly criticized the royal family in the past, continues to use her title as the Duchess of Sussex in the U.S.

"It's not hard to avoid anything royal. But she can't go two weeks without doing something related to the royal family," Smith noted. "I guess Harry might love it. I would assume she checked with him first, and he probably told her it was lovely. It is his mother and his wife merged into one visual, so emotionally it might make sense for them."

"Strategically, it is terrible. It makes her look completely directionless. I genuinely do not know who is advising her or if they even have a plan," Smith continued.

Some think Meghan, whose feature focused on her emerging lifestyle brand, As Ever, is not being upfront about her motives.

"For me, this is beyond a simple bad PR move. It shows a lack of boundaries both personally and professionally," Smith stated. "She keeps saying she wants distance from the royal world, yet she keeps inserting herself directly into the legacy of the most powerful royal symbol of all time and the mother of her husband. The contradiction is glaring, and the emotional implications are concerning."

Over the years, Meghan has been seen as trying to become "Diana 2.0," and Harry often compares his wife to his mother.

"So much of what Meghan is and how she is is so similar to my mom," Harry said in Harry & Meghan. "She has the same compassion. She has the same empathy. She has the same confidence. She has this warmth about her."

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is entering his final days at Royal Lodge after his ties to Jeffrey Epstein cost him his titles and mansion.

"I'm sure he's feeling humiliated and, by all accounts, angry. You have to remember that he has consistently protested his innocence," royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror. "Therefore, he feels wronged. But the reality is he now has just a few weeks left before he has to leave Royal Lodge, which has been his home for more than 20 years."

"One thing he could do to show some remorse (for, at the very least, his bad judgment in befriending Epstein) is to cooperate with the Congressional committee and tell them what he saw and what he knows. At the moment, though, that seems unlikely," Bond continued.

Mountbatten-Windsor stepped back from public duties when his association with the convicted abuser became public, and his reputation further deteriorated after Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre accused him of assault. Mountbatten-Windsor adamantly denied the claims, but Giuffre's posthumous memoir reignited the scandal. Following the book's release, King Charles III announced his brother will no longer stay at Royal Lodge.

As Charles makes moves to protect the crown, the U.S. House of Representatives is working to expose Epstein's network. Mountbatten-Windsor was summoned by the Congressional House Oversight Committee, which said in a letter that it wants the ex-prince to "uncover the identities of Mr. Epstein's co-conspirators and enablers."

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US congressman Suhas Subramanyam, who signed a letter to Andrew requesting an interview about his links to Jeffrey Epstein, tells Sky's David Blevins that the former prince 'doesn't have to respond' but should to 'do right by the victims'. #skynews

♬ original sound – Sky News – Sky News

Democrat Suhas Subramanyam, who is a member of the committee, said the former duke "has been hiding from us, and I think he will continue to try to hide from people doing meaningful investigations of this matter."

"It seems like every time we find more evidence, Andrew seems to be in the documents," Subramanyam told The Guardian. "And so I think if he is hoping that the story will just go away by ignoring us and being silent, he will be sorely disappointed, as we continue to pursue this over the next year and beyond."

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor might still have feelings for Sarah Ferguson.

According to a source, Princess Beatrice is worried for her father as her mother sets her sights on finding a new man to provide for her following her recent scandal.

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Ferguson wants to find love

After Ferguson and Mountbatten-Windsor, who divorced in 1996, were stripped of their titles and evicted from their home due to their ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the former Duchess of York wants to move on with her life.

"Sarah's told Beatrice and her inner circle that she's been devastated by recent events, but she's never going to give up on love. She's been open about finding a proper gentleman to help her enjoy life. Someone successful, kind and financially secure," a source told Closer magazine.

"She's always been independent, but she knows she's got expensive taste and she jokes she needs a man who can keep up," the insider said.

Worry over Mountbatten-Windsor

Although the former Duke of York and his ex-spouse split years ago, their eldest daughter is reportedly worried about how Mountbatten-Windsor will adjust.

"Beatrice wants her mom to move on, but also fears how Andrew would take it. She knows her dad would be crushed if Sarah met someone new and fears the thought of being alone will break his heart," the source told the publication.

"But at the same time, she just wants her parents to find their own peace. They've been separated for decades and clinging to the past isn't healthy," the insider said.

Ferguson abandons Mountbatten-Windsor

Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams thinks the 66-year-old is giving up on her ex-husband after years of defending him.

"She is discredited and appears to have abandoned Andrew insofar as we know," the expert told Daily Express.

Will Ferguson spill royal secrets?

As Ferguson finds new ways to support herself, Fitzwilliams believes a tell-all isn't out of the question.

"If she is after a fast buck, she might well go back on Oprah or choose another outlet. This would give her publicity," he said. "In the past, she was able to make comebacks after she was hit by scandals and was admired for this, with charities deserting her after it was proved that she lied regarding her links with Epstein.  This seems highly unlikely. It depends on what her priorities are, how much money she actually has and what her plans are."

Will Ferguson embarrass herself?

If the matriarch decides to spill The Firm's secrets, she could find that it comes with consequences. "We will doubtless discover soon, she was a disaster as a working royal and is totally shameless," Fitzwilliams said.

"Also, if the interviews given by Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, are anything to go by, a large amount is yet to be revealed, which could prove extremely embarrassing to her," he added.