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As controversy grows around Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson over their past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, a public relations expert has weighed in on what the renewed scrutiny could mean for their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Recently surfaced documents reportedly include emails said to have been sent by Sarah to Epstein after his conviction for sexual offences. In the correspondence, the former Duchess of York allegedly described him as “a legend,” joked about wanting to marry him, and reportedly made an inappropriate remark involving Eugenie. It has also been claimed that Sarah introduced her daughters — then aged 19 and 20 — to Epstein shortly after his release from prison.
Although the emails themselves do not suggest wrongdoing, the latest developments are said to have left the sisters feeling deeply embarrassed. As the princesses remain silent amid the controversy, PR consultant Kayley Cornelius told the Express that stripping them of their royal titles could prove counterproductive.
She said: “I believe that giving up their royal titles could backfire. At a time when public feeling is largely sympathetic, stepping away from those titles may feel unnecessary and premature.”
“Giving up such a title should be a last resort. Under the current circumstances, it could unintentionally suggest guilt or wrongdoing, inviting further scrutiny rather than closure.”
In practice, any decision to remove the sisters’ royal titles would ultimately lie with King Charles III, just as he previously took action in relation to their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
PR consultant Kayley Cornelius believes this period could actually provide an opportunity for Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice to carve out independent public roles separate from their parents’ controversies.
She explained: “Public sympathy for Eugenie and Beatrice will be at an all-time high.”
Kayley added: “The smartest approach is visibility without overexposure. Turning up, showing consistency, and quietly getting on with meaningful work will speak far louder than any formal statement ever could.”
She continued: “With King Charles willing to take the York sisters under his wing, a great next move would be for them to begin engaging in royal duties.”
She also suggested that “carefully chosen charity work and low-key appearances could really benefit them, particularly if the causes feel authentic and future-focused.”
According to the consultant, this strategy “shows a sense of unity and a tight-knit community,” which could ultimately help both the sisters and the Royal Family more broadly.
Amid continuing fallout linked to the Epstein scandal, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson have lost royal privileges and titles, with the pair also being required to vacate Royal Lodge.
Several charities have since distanced themselves from Sarah, including Teenage Cancer Trust, while her own organisation, Sarah’s Trust, recently confirmed it will close “for the foreseeable future.”
Looking ahead, PR consultant Kayley Cornelius emphasised the importance of Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice shaping identities independent of the controversy surrounding their parents.
She noted: “They will undoubtedly receive offers — from interviews to high-profile deals — to share their version of events and speak about their lives.”
However, she added: “While now isn’t the time for that, a carefully chosen reality or documentary-style appearance in a year or two could help reaffirm their public image and allow audiences to connect with them on a more human level.”
In her view, the sisters’ objective “isn’t reinvention, but evolution.”
Andrew has previously said he regrets his association with Jeffrey Epstein but has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Representatives for Sarah Ferguson have reportedly been approached for comment regarding the recently disclosed emails, though no response has yet been issued.
