Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have reportedly withdrawn from public appearances following their father Prince Andrew's announcement that he will cease using his royal titles. The disgraced Duke of York revealed on Friday that he had been in discussions with his brother, King Charles, regarding his position within the Royal Family, citing the continued accusations against him as a distraction from the monarchy's work.

Prince Andrew, 65, has been embroiled in controversy due to his close association with convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein. On December 30, 2014, he was implicated in a Florida court filing, accused of engaging in sexual activities with a minor, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who was allegedly trafficked by Epstein in March 2001. During a BBC Newsnight interview in November 2019, Andrew vehemently denied all allegations, claiming he had never met Virginia and was at a Pizza Express restaurant in Woking on the night in question. More recently, an email from Andrew to Epstein in 2011 emerged, stating they were “in this together,” which contradicted his previous assertion to Emily Maitlis that he severed ties with Epstein in December 2010.

Amid escalating media coverage, Andrew officially announced he would no longer use his Duke of York title or any royal honours bestowed upon him. He stated: “The continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.” In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace, he reiterated: “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life. With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”

Despite this significant development, his daughters, Princess Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, were notably absent from a high-profile event at the British Museum over the weekend. The sisters were expected to attend the Pink Ball, an event designed to emulate the renowned Met Gala, where guests included Naomi Campbell, Janet Jackson, and Lady Kitty Spencer. Hello! Magazine reported their inclusion on the guest list, yet they did not appear, fueling media speculation about their absence.

The sisters’ royal status remains unaffected; they will continue to hold their Princess of York titles, as they are princesses by birth. Prince Andrew will also retain his Prince title, being the son of a monarch, but will not use any other titles officially. However, Sarah Ferguson, their mother, who had kept her Duchess of York title after divorcing Andrew, has now lost this courtesy title following Andrew’s recent announcement. The possibility of the government further stripping Andrew of his Prince title through Letters Patent issued by the King was also highlighted. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband commented on Sky News, stating, “I think in this we're going to be guided by the palace and the royal family.” Prince Andrew consistently denies all allegations against him.