King Charles makes ‘secret deal’ with disgraced Andrew over future of Beatrice and Eugenie
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are reportedly bracing themselves for significant changes to their royal roles following what sources have described as a “secret deal” struck between their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and King Charles III.
The alleged agreement comes in the wake of Andrew’s continued fall from grace and mounting pressure on the Royal Family to distance itself from the scandal-plagued former Duke of York.
The development marks yet another chapter in one of the most turbulent periods in modern royal history, as the monarchy continues to grapple with the fallout from Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the civil lawsuit brought against him by Virginia Giuffre.
Andrew’s Downfall and the Stripping of Titles
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as the Duke of York, has experienced an unprecedented fall from royal favour following revelations about his friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a financier who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor and died in custody while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The former Duke of York was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages in January 2022, a decision that marked one of the most dramatic demotions in recent royal history. The Queen’s second son was also barred from using his HRH (His Royal Highness) style in any official capacity, effectively removing him from public royal life.
In February 2022, Andrew settled a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 years old at properties belonging to Epstein.
While Andrew has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing, the settlement was widely viewed as an attempt to avoid the damaging publicity of a trial. The settlement reportedly cost millions of pounds, though the exact figure remains confidential.
The Secret Deal: What Sources Claim
According to royal insiders who spoke to various media outlets, King Charles and Andrew have allegedly reached a private agreement concerning the future roles of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie within the Royal Family.
While the exact terms of this “secret deal” remain unconfirmed by Buckingham Palace, sources suggest it involves carefully managed parameters for the York princesses’ involvement in royal duties.
One source close to the royal household told reporters: “The King has been very clear about his vision for a slimmed-down monarchy, but he also recognises that Beatrice and Eugenie are blameless in their father’s situation. The agreement is meant to protect them while maintaining appropriate boundaries.”
The alleged deal is believed to address several key areas:
Limited Royal Duties
While Beatrice and Eugenie are expected to continue supporting certain royal charities and attending major family events, they will reportedly not become full-time working royals, despite previous speculation that the King might need to expand the roster of working family members following the departures of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
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Financial Independence
The princesses, who both maintain careers outside the royal sphere—Beatrice in business and Eugenie in the art world—will reportedly continue to be financially independent from the Sovereign Grant, avoiding the criticism that has been leveled at other non-working royals.
Public Appearances
Sources suggest the agreement includes guidelines about which royal events the York princesses should attend, potentially limiting their visibility at the most high-profile state occasions to avoid renewed focus on their father’s scandals.
The King’s Slimmed-Down Monarchy Vision
King Charles III has long championed the concept of a streamlined Royal Family, focused on a core group of working royals who carry out official duties on behalf of the Crown. This vision has become even more pressing following the reduction in working royals over recent years.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams explained: “Charles has been planning for a reduced monarchy for decades. His model includes himself, the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their children as they come of age. The challenge has been balancing this vision with practical needs.”
The departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from working royal life in 2020, combined with Andrew’s effective removal from royal duties in 2022, has left the monarchy with fewer active members to carry out the thousands of engagements required each year. At 75 and 77 respectively, King Charles and Princess Anne represent an aging working royal cohort, making succession planning increasingly important.
Impact on Beatrice and Eugenie
Princess Beatrice, 36, and Princess Eugenie, 34, have occupied a unique position within the Royal Family for years. As granddaughters of the late Queen Elizabeth II and daughters of a senior royal, they have maintained proximity to the institution while pursuing independent careers and largely avoiding the intense media scrutiny faced by working royals.
Both princesses have established successful professional lives. Beatrice has held positions in business and finance, currently working in a senior role at software company Afiniti. Eugenie works as a director at the London art gallery Hauser & Wirth and is a co-founder of the Anti-Slavery Collective charity.
Despite not being working royals, both sisters have maintained strong connections to royal charitable work. Beatrice is patron of several organizations, including the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre and Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, while Eugenie has been a vocal advocate for anti-slavery initiatives and ocean conservation.
Royal experts suggest that the alleged “secret deal” may have been necessitated by the princesses’ own concerns about their futures within the royal framework. Jenny Bond, former BBC royal correspondent, noted: “Beatrice and Eugenie have watched their father’s reputation crumble and have inevitably been affected by association. They will want clarity about their positions and protection from further fallout.”
The Royal Lodge Controversy
The relationship between King Charles and his younger brother has reportedly been further strained by the ongoing dispute over Andrew’s residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. The 30-room mansion, which Andrew shares with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, has become a focal point of tension between the brothers.
According to multiple reports, King Charles has been keen for Andrew to vacate Royal Lodge and move to the more modest Frogmore Cottage, the former UK residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Andrew has reportedly resisted these efforts, citing his long-term lease agreement on the property.
Royal sources suggest that any “secret deal” regarding Beatrice and Eugenie may also encompass discussions about Andrew’s living arrangements and financial support. Since losing his role as a working royal, Andrew no longer receives funding from the Sovereign Grant, raising questions about how he maintains his lifestyle.
One insider commented: “The King has been trying to resolve the Royal Lodge situation for some time. Any broader agreement with Andrew would likely need to address housing, finances, and the futures of his daughters as part of a comprehensive package.”
Public Opinion and the York Princesses
Public perception of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie has generally remained positive, with many expressing sympathy for their position as the daughters of a disgraced royal. Polls conducted following Andrew’s settlement with Virginia Giuffre showed that a majority of respondents distinguished between Andrew’s behaviour and his daughters’ reputations.
This public goodwill could prove valuable to the monarchy as it navigates succession planning and the need to maintain public support. Royal historian Dr. Anna Whitelock observed: “Beatrice and Eugenie represent an interesting opportunity for the monarchy.
They’re young, popular, and untainted by scandal. However, bringing them into the working royal fold would contradict Charles’s slimmed-down vision and could set a precedent for other non-working royals.”
The princesses’ personal lives have also endeared them to the public. Both are now married with children—Beatrice to property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, with whom she has one daughter and serves as stepmother to his son from a previous relationship, and Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank, with whom she has two sons.
Comparisons to Other Royal Family Members
The situation facing Beatrice and Eugenie draws inevitable comparisons to other royal family members who have found themselves in ambiguous positions within the institution. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from working royal life created a precedent for royals seeking to forge independent paths while maintaining family connections.
However, the York princesses’ situation differs significantly. Unlike the Sussexes, they have never been full-time working royals, have not publicly criticized the institution, and have maintained cordial relationships with senior family members. Their challenge lies not in exiting the royal system but in defining their place within it amid their father’s disgrace.
Princess Anne’s children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, offer perhaps the most relevant comparison. Both were raised without royal titles and have pursued successful independent careers while maintaining close family ties and occasional royal appearances. This model may inform any agreement regarding Beatrice and Eugenie’s future roles.
Royal author Robert Jobson suggested: “The precedent set by Anne’s children shows that it’s possible to be part of the Royal Family without being a working royal. Charles may be looking at that model for his nieces, allowing them dignity and family connection without official duties or public funding.”
The Broader Context of Royal Restructuring
The alleged secret deal between King Charles and Andrew must be understood within the broader context of the monarchy’s ongoing restructuring. Since ascending to the throne in September 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles has moved decisively to implement his long-held vision for a more efficient, focused royal institution.
This restructuring has included:
- Reducing the number of working royals receiving public funding
- Streamlining palace operations and staffing
- Focusing resources on core constitutional duties and key charitable priorities
- Modernizing the monarchy’s public image and communication strategies
The King’s approach has been characterized by a careful balancing act between tradition and modernization, sentiment and practicality. His handling of the Andrew situation and its implications for Beatrice and Eugenie will be seen as a test of his ability to make difficult family decisions in the institution’s best interests.
What This Means for the Monarchy’s Future
The resolution of Beatrice and Eugenie’s positions within the Royal Family carries significance beyond the immediate family drama. It establishes precedent for how the monarchy will handle similar situations in future generations and signals the King’s priorities as he shapes the institution’s direction.
Constitutional expert Professor Robert Hazell commented: “How Charles handles this situation will be closely watched. It demonstrates whether he’s willing to make tough decisions about family members, even when it involves his own brother’s children. It also shows whether he’ll stick to his slimmed-down monarchy vision or bend to practical pressures.”
The outcome may also influence public debate about the monarchy’s future size and scope. With growing questions about the institution’s relevance and cost to taxpayers, Charles’s decisions about which family members have official roles will be scrutinized as evidence of his commitment to reform.
The Role of Sarah Ferguson
Any discussion of Andrew’s future and that of his daughters must acknowledge the role of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. Despite divorcing Andrew in 1996, Sarah has remained close to her ex-husband and currently lives with him at Royal Lodge.
Sarah’s position adds another layer of complexity to any agreement between Charles and Andrew. As a non-royal with a history of her own controversies, including past financial scandals, Sarah’s presence in Andrew’s household and continued involvement in royal family events has occasionally raised eyebrows.
However, sources suggest that Sarah’s dedication to her daughters and her role as a grandmother may have made her an ally in negotiating any arrangement regarding Beatrice and Eugenie. One royal insider noted: “Sarah has always been fiercely protective of her girls. She would certainly have had input into any discussions about their futures.”
Looking Ahead
As the Royal Family continues to evolve under King Charles’s leadership, the resolution of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s positions represents a significant moment in the institution’s modern history. Whether through a formal “secret deal” or through gradual, organic development, the parameters of the York princesses’ royal involvement will be established in the coming years.
For Beatrice and Eugenie themselves, the situation requires navigating the challenging terrain between family loyalty and institutional pragmatism. They must balance their love and support for their father with their own reputations and futures, all while under intense media scrutiny.
Royal observers will be watching closely for concrete signs of any agreement between Charles and Andrew. These might include announcements about the princesses’ patronages, their attendance at key royal events, or changes to living arrangements for Andrew and Sarah.
What remains clear is that King Charles faces the delicate task of protecting his nieces while maintaining the integrity of his vision for a modern, streamlined monarchy. How he manages this challenge will not only affect Beatrice and Eugenie but will also shape perceptions of his reign and establish precedents that will influence the Royal Family for generations to come.
Sources and References:
- Buckingham Palace official statements
- Royal household sources (unnamed, as per standard royal reporting practices)
- Previous media reports from Express.co.uk, Hello Magazine, and People.com
- Commentary from royal experts Richard Fitzwilliams, Jenny Bond, Dr. Anna Whitelock, Robert Jobson, and Professor Robert Hazell
- Public records regarding Andrew’s settlement and title removal
Note: This article is based on claims from royal sources and should be read as reporting on allegations and insider accounts rather than confirmed official statements from Buckingham Palace.