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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Niva Yadav

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to miss Royals’ Easter church service over Epstein scandal

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will miss the Royal family’s traditional Easter church service in Windsor.

The decision comes as pressure mounts on their parents Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson over their relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Princesses will make alternative plans on Easter Sunday this year while the rest of the Royal family gather at St George’s Chapel.

Andrew has not been invited to the Easter service, the Times reports.

The former Duke of York was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office last month on his 66th birthday and was released under investigation. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with late paedophile Epstein.

Beatrice and Eugenie have been named in the recently released Epstein files, alongside their mother Sarah Ferguson.

Being in the files is not evidence of wrongdoing, but Ms Ferguson has come under fire for messages suggesting she took the Princesses to see Epstein just days after he was released from prison for sex crimes in 2009.

Ms Ferguson has lost several titles in recent months, including the freedom of the city of York and several patronages.

The pair with their mother Sarah Ferguson (PA Archive)

It is not known where she is living currently. Andrew has been living at Sandringham since leaving Royal Lodge in February after having his titles stripped.

The Princesses have retained their titles, though Princess Eugenie stepped down as patron of charity Anti-Slavery International.

The sisters were also invited to spend Christmas with the rest of the royals and were seen walking to church with relatives.

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