Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Banned from Attending Royal Ascot amid Parents’ Ties to Epstein: Report

LONDON — Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have reportedly been barred from attending this year’s Royal Ascot, marking a significant escalation in the social and professional isolation of the York family. The decision follows intensifying scrutiny over their parents’ historical ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the recent, unprecedented arrest of their father, the former Prince Andrew.

According to reports first published by the Daily Mail, the sisters—aged 37 and 35, respectively—will not join the British Royal Family for the prestigious five-day event in June. Sources indicate that Beatrice and Eugenie have also been removed from the Royal Procession, a cornerstone of the event where senior royals arrive via carriage before the racing begins.

The exclusion highlights a growing “cordon sanitaire” being placed around the daughters of the Duke and Duchess of York as King Charles III continues to streamline the monarchy and distance the institution from the fallout of the Epstein scandal.

A Family “Blindsided” by Diplomatic Ostracization

The move has reportedly sent shockwaves through the sisters’ inner circles. “Beatrice has taken it the hardest,” a source close to the Ascot organizers told the Daily Mail. “She’s been completely blindsided by all of this.”

While the sisters are not “working royals” and maintain independent careers, they have historically been fixtures at major royal milestones. Their absence from the 2026 Ascot season signals a shift from private family disappointment to public professional exclusion.

Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Royal Ascot have declined to comment on the guest list, maintaining their standard policy on private family matters.

---

The Shadow of the Epstein Legacy

The sisters’ current predicament is inextricably linked to the legal and reputational collapse of their father, Prince Andrew, 66. The former Duke’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein have dominated headlines for years, culminating in a series of high-profile developments:

• The Posthumous Memoir: The 2025 release of Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre—who died by suicide earlier that year—brought renewed focus to allegations against Andrew.
• Title Removal: Following the memoir’s publication, King Charles III stripped Andrew of his remaining royal titles and honors.
• The February Arrest: On Feb. 19, 2026, Andrew was detained for 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office. It marked the first arrest of a member of the Royal Family since the 17th century.

Sarah Ferguson, 66, has also faced renewed criticism following the release of Department of Justice documents. Evidence detailed Ferguson’s attempts to secure employment and charitable advice from Epstein, even after his initial 2008 conviction for solicitation of a minor.

Protecting the Next Generation

Despite the controversy surrounding their parents, sources close to the York sisters emphasize that Beatrice and Eugenie remain focused on their young families.

“They have young children… their focus is on protecting their own children from this,” an insider told PEOPLE. Between them, the sisters are raising four children under the age of six: August and Ernest Brooksbank, and Sienna and Athena Mapelli Mozzi.

As the Royal Family prepares for the summer season, the exclusion of the York sisters underscores a firm new reality under King Charles: the “Firm” is prioritizing the protection of the Crown’s reputation over traditional family invitations.

Looking Ahead: Whether this exclusion extends to other major 2026 events, such as Trooping the Colour, remains to be seen. Observers will be watching closely to see if the York sisters are permanently relegated to the sidelines of royal life.