In a festive gathering that has long been a staple of the British Royal Family’s calendar, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie made their presence known at Sandringham for the traditional Christmas celebrations. Their attendance laid to rest any lingering questions about whether they would respond to King Charles’s invitation in light of recent family controversies.

Princess Eugenie, radiant and cheerful at 35, was seen joining King Charles, aged 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, as they made their way to St Mary Magdalene Church. The scene was one of unity and warmth, as the York sisters reaffirmed their place within the royal fold.

Princess Beatrice, accompanied by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, was equally welcomed, suggesting King Charles’s intention to shield them from the shadow cast by their parents’ past associations. Despite the absence of their parents, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, from the gathering, King Charles appears resolute in ensuring his nieces remain untainted by the controversies surrounding the family’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Princess Eugenie’s entourage included her husband Jack Brooksbank, along with Princess Anne and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Their presence underscored a supportive network within The Firm, crucial during what has undoubtedly been a trying year for the family.

The sisters’ participation in the royal traditions this year follows their attendance at King Charles’s pre-Christmas luncheon at Buckingham Palace, indicating a continued embrace by the monarchy amidst familial challenges.

It comes after Beatrice and Eugenie both attended King Charles’s pre-Christmas luncheon at Buckingham Palace this month. 

Experts said their attendance shows they are being ‘insulated’ by the King from their disgraced father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. 

rincess Beatrice was accompanied by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi as King Charles appeared to send the message that she and sister Eugenie are not ‘guilty by association’

Eugenie, 35, was all smiles as she followed King Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, into St Mary Magdalene Church this morning

Charlie Proctor, editor of the Royal Central website, wrote: ‘For several years now, Beatrice and Eugenie have existed in a kind of constitutional limbo: not working royals, yet not quite private citizens either; loyal daughters, but daughters of a man whose name has become shorthand for reputational damage.

‘Every public appearance has therefore carried an unspoken question – are they being unintentionally punished for Andrew’s public controversy, or carefully insulated from it? This week’s answer was clear. They are to be insulated.

‘The King’s Christmas lunch is not a casual family meal but a curated guest list, one that signals who remains within the perimeter of royal acceptability.’

He added that Andrew’s exclusion is ‘now total and unambiguous’, but his daughters’ inclusion ‘sends the opposite signal: whatever their private feelings, the monarchy will not permit guilt by association’.

Meanwhile, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, former editor of The International Who’s Who, told the Daily Mail: ‘All royal events are carefully choreographed and King Charles’s annual pre-Christmas lunch, which reverted to Buckingham Palace, featured photographs of a smiling Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie dominating the coverage in the press.

‘There are echoes of Queen Charlotte in Alan Bennett’s play The Madnesses of King George when she says to the King “Smile. That’s what they want. Smile”.

‘The image is contrasted with their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor out riding in the pouring rain, a portrait of humiliation both real and symbolic.’

King Charles and Queen Camilla lead the Royal Family for church service at St Mary Magdalene on the Norfolk estate 

Princess Eugenie (behind Princess Anne) made a surprise appearance along with her sister Princess Beatrice (not pictured)

The appearance of Eugenie and Beatrice came after they were both absent from Kate’s carol concert at Westminster Abbey on December 5.

Royal sources claimed at the time that the sisters were touched by an invite that was extended to them, but were both unable to join because of previous commitments.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: ‘They pleaded commitments but it was obvious that they did not want to be a distraction from the event.’ 

It will be the second year running that the King’s brother and his ex-wife have not attended. Last year, they pulled out of the celebrations just 10 days before Christmas after Andrew’s links to alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo, came to light.

The former couple will spend one last Christmas hunkered down at the Royal Lodge, which they will vacate at some point next year.