Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are reportedly facing a difficult decision about where to spend Christmas this year, torn between joining the wider royal family at Sandringham or spending the holidays with their parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
According to royal expert Richard Palmer, writing for The i, the York sisters are weighing the emotional pull of family loyalty against the public image challenges surrounding their father. “The big test for Beatrice and Eugenie will come at Christmas,” Palmer wrote. “Do they spend it with their parents or join the rest of the family on the royal estate at Sandringham?”
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has faced years of public scrutiny following his association with Jeffrey Epstein and subsequent legal troubles. Despite stepping away from royal duties, he has remained close to his daughters, who have often found themselves navigating the fallout from his scandals.
Palmer noted that the sisters have already gained experience in managing family controversies. “After years of damaging headlines about their parents, they have already had some experience of navigating scandal,” he explained. “When Beatrice and Edoardo were married at Windsor in July 2020, Andrew had to be cut out of the official wedding photos.”
The situation has placed both Beatrice and Eugenie in a delicate position. While they maintain a strong relationship with their parents, they also continue to support the monarchy publicly and maintain ties with King Charles and other senior royals.
Last year, the two sisters made separate choices about the holidays. “Beatrice spent Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham, despite Andrew announcing that he would ‘honourably withdraw’ from the event. Eugenie spent the festive period with her in-laws,” Palmer reported.
This year’s decision is expected to be even more complicated, given the growing distance between Andrew and the royal household. Sarah Ferguson, meanwhile, continues to live with her ex-husband at Royal Lodge in Windsor and remains on friendly terms with the royal family despite her own controversies over the years.
Observers say the sisters’ choice could be symbolic, revealing how they intend to balance family loyalty with royal duty in the years ahead.
As Christmas approaches, royal watchers will be paying close attention to where Beatrice and Eugenie choose to spend the festive season — whether at Sandringham with the King or quietly at home with their embattled parents.
