A PR expert told GB News that King Charles likely wants to avoid reigniting conversations about Andrew by involving his daughters more in official duties.
In 2024, the Royal Family faced a shortage of working members due to various health concerns. In January, both Princess Kate, 42, and King Charles, 75, were hospitalized at The London Clinic for different operations. Princess Kate underwent abdominal surgery, while the King had a corrective operation for an enlarged prostate. The following month, it was revealed that King Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer unrelated to his prostate. In March, Princess Kate announced she had begun a course of preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
As a result, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have had to take on the bulk of royal duties. Many commentators argue that Beatrice and Eugenie could be valuable additions as working royals amid the current shortages.
Luana Ribeira, a business and PR expert and founder of Dauntless PR, spoke to GB News, explaining the potential negative consequences of making Beatrice and Eugenie working royals. "If Beatrice and Eugenie become more involved in official duties, this is likely to stir up discussions further," she said.
Prince Andrew, 64, stepped down from royal duties in 2019 and was stripped of his honorary military titles in 2022 following his controversial Newsnight interview where he discussed his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His daughters' increased involvement in royal duties could lead to speculation about his return to public life.
Ribeira suggested that making Beatrice and Eugenie working royals might be seen as a way for King Charles to offer his brother a path back into royal duties. "It could be interpreted by some as King Charles offering his brother a way back into life as a working royal himself," she added.
This year, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice were included in a popularity poll for the first time, with both being liked by 37% of Britons.
As the Royal Family navigates these challenging times, the roles of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie remain a topic of discussion, reflecting the broader implications of Prince Andrew's scandal on their potential contributions to royal duties.
