Recent moves by King Charles have stirred a whirlwind of speculation about the future standing of the York branch within the royal family. With the formal removal of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s titles, the spotlight has shifted to his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, leaving many wondering what lies ahead.

Reports soon surfaced in the Daily Mail, suggesting that the 77-year-old monarch is particularly intent on safeguarding his nieces amidst the ongoing controversy. Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 35, will retain their royal titles despite the turbulence surrounding their father’s recent fall from grace.

In light of these developments, royal experts suggest that Prince Harry, much like his father, may extend a sympathetic hand toward his cousins. However, the dynamics could be more complex when considering his wife, Meghan Markle. According to royal commentator Duncan Larcombe, Meghan might prefer to maintain a distance given the “sensitivities” tied to Andrew’s association with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

This potential split in sentiment could result in a “divide” within the Sussex household regarding their support for Beatrice and Eugenie. Nevertheless, both Harry and Meghan are likely to steer clear of any association with Prince Andrew, 65, and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, as Larcombe further elaborated.

“Harry has always been close to Beatrice and Eugenie,” Larcombe remarked, underscoring the enduring familial bond despite the broader complications at play.

‘Harry has always been close to Beatrice and Eugenie,’ Mr Larcombe told the newspaper. 

‘They didn’t see a massive amount of each other growing up because they didn’t live very close to each other, but they’d always get together for Christmas at Sandringham.’ 

Mr Larcombe said that while Harry’s relationship with Beatrice and Eugenie might make him more inclined to look out for his cousins, Meghan, 44, will be more concerned about the optics of any ongoing association with the family. 

A royal expert has suggested Prince Harry (left) will likely have a ‘lot of sympathy’ for his cousins, Princess Eugenie (centre) and Princess Beatrice (right), in light of their disgraced father’s ongoing scandal 

However, his wife Meghan Markle could be keen to ‘distance’ herself from them considering the ‘sensitivities’ of Andrew’s relationship with late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, according to Duncan Larcombe

Noting that Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Harvey Weinstein were all photographed together at Beatrice’s 18th birthday, Meghan is likely to ‘keep her distance’ from them. 

However, Harry and Meghan are probably united on the decision to steer clear of Andrew and Sarah – even if it’s for different reasons. 

‘From Meghan’s point of view, it’s probably a commercial thing, from Harry’s point of view, it’s probably more of an emotional thing.’ 

As daughters of the son of a sovereign, both Beatrice and Eugenie will retain their royal titles in line with King George V’s Letters Patent of 1917. 

However, royal expert Christopher Wilson recently told the Daily Mail their status has been ‘tarnished’ as a result of their father’s controversy and ties to Epstein. 

If opportunities for the sisters ‘dry up’, Beatrice and Eugenie could be forced to accept more ‘low-grade offers’ like their mother Sarah, who has previously been accused of undertaking ‘dubious’ charity work and offering access to Andrew for cash. 

Mr Wilson told the Daily Mail: ‘The princesses use their titles to earn money – and if that starts to dry up as a result of their father’s disgrace, they may be tempted to follow their mother Fergie’s example of accepting more and more low-grade offers to use their face and name in order to rake in the cash.’

Both sisters have paid full-time jobs but do not receive cash from the Sovereign Grant as they’re not working royals. 

While there may be a ‘divide’ among the Sussexes on supporting Beatrice and Eugenie, neither Harry nor Meghan ‘will want to be associated’ with Andrew, 65, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson , he added. Pictured: the disgraced former Duke of York with Harry (right) at Royal Ascot in June 2014

Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, photograhed during the procession for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II on September 14, 2022 

They also benefit from a trust fund set up by the Queen Mother for her great-great-grandchildren, and received money from their parents’ divorce in the 1990s.

Beatrice is married to millionaire property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, while Eugenie’s husband, wine merchant Jack Brooksbank, is also wealthy in his own right.

Previously, the former Duke of York’s website said he ‘supports both of his daughters financially’, but now this source of income and any other monetary benefits that may come with their titles will be brought into question.

Mr Wilson added: ‘Dealing with ruthless businessmen who know how to exploit a royal title has been Fergie’s downfall, and it could be theirs too’

‘Neither woman has a husband with a job which can sustain them in the style to which they’ve long been accustomed – and they too may find it harder to maintain their status in the business world now that Andrew is no longer royal.’

It comes after royal biographer Richard Fitzwilliams told this newspaper that Beatrice and Eugenie’s relationship with Andrew could now ‘change drastically’, adding: ‘His daughters will want to keep as much distance as possible from him. 

‘It will be devastating for them.’  

There has been renewed pressure on Andrew after emails laid bare the extent of links to Epstein, as exclusively revealed by the Daily Mail.

Prince Harry with Charles, then the Prince of Wales, and Meghan Markle, as well as Eugenie (in white, left) and Beatrice (in blue, centre left) at Ascot racecourse in 2018

Amid heightened scrutiny ahead of the release of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, Andrew agreed voluntarily to give up his titles. 

On October 30, King Charles formally stripped Andrew of his prince title in an official statement, noting he will be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. 

The monarch also announced Andrew has agreed to surrender his lease on the 30-room Royal Lodge, where he has paid ‘peppercorn rent’ for decades. 

He will relocate to a private home on the King’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. 

The unprecedented statement from Buckingham Palace read: ‘His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew.

‘Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence.

‘Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.

‘These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.’