Beatrice and Eugenie’s ‘vastly different approaches’ to the Epstein scandal
Andrew has denied wrongdoing, but recent revelations from the US Department of Justice, including emails showing Ferguson turned to Epstein for financial help, have led to her ex-husband being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
They relate to claims that he shared sensitive information with serial abuser Epstein between 2010 and 2011 while serving as a British trade envoy, and that he invited Epstein and a 26-year-old Russian model to dinner at Buckingham Palace.
Sources now say his and Ferguson’s daughters are “shattered” by the scandal but are taking a “vastly different approach” in the aftermath. It comes after Beatrice was seen horse riding with Andrew and her four-year-old daughter Sienna in January, before the latest batch of Epstein emails emerged, while Eugenie was living in Portugal with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and their sons August and Ernest.
Insiders close to the family described the sisters’ reaction in stark terms.
“Every new revelation from Epstein feels like another blow to the sisters,” the source explained. “Just when they think the worst is over, something else comes along and puts everything back in the spotlight. It’s emotionally draining for them.
“There is a deep frustration that this controversy still overshadows much of their lives. Beatrice and Eugenie cannot escape the association, both in their professional work and in their private circles, and that constant scrutiny takes its toll, both behind closed doors and in the public arena.”
A separate insider said of their differing reactions: ‘Beatrice has always had a very loyal streak, especially when it comes to her father. Her instinct is to stand behind Andrew and show solidarity regardless of the public reaction. She believes that turning away at difficult times would only deepen the rift.
“But Eugenie is taking a more cautious approach. Her priority is protecting her husband and children, and maintaining the credibility she has built in her own career. For her, creating some physical and symbolic distance is not about infidelity, but about stability and protecting her immediate family from further consequences.”
A royal source said: “They were genuinely shocked by the tone and content of those recently released Epstein emails. It is painful to see their mother portrayed in that light, and the renewed focus on the allegations involving their father has been deeply disturbing to them.”
“There is shame, yes, but also a lot of sadness. At the same time, they are realistic. They understand that the way they react now, the choices they make, the company they keep and the image they project will determine their position in the long term. They think carefully about every step.”
Another insider said the sisters are united by the fact that they are both likely to focus on their respective careers in Britain. Beatrice runs a technology consultancy, while Eugenie works for the Hauser and Wirth art gallery.
“Beatrice and Eugenie had built strong professional ties in the Middle East, but that momentum is likely to pause as this plays out,” the source said. ‘The focus now is on managing the immediate consequences rather than expanding their international profile.
“For the foreseeable future, they will be extremely cautious when it comes to public opinion. Being seen with their parents would only reignite control, so maintaining a visible separation is seen as the safest course. It’s an incredibly painful position to be in; they’re navigating loyalty, reputation and personal grief all at once, and it’s weighing heavily on both of them.”
