At a Glance
- Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 35, attended the royal Christmas service at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2025
- Their parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, spent Christmas 140 miles away at Royal Lodge, Windsor, after being excluded from royal gatherings
- The sisters also joined King Charles’ Buckingham Palace lunch on Dec. 16 without Andrew
- Why it matters: The York sisters’ public alignment with the monarchy highlights the delicate balance between duty and family amid ongoing scandal
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie stepped into Sandringham’s Christmas Day service alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, signaling their loyalty to the Crown while their parents remained isolated.
The Christmas Divide
Royal Lodge, Windsor, hosted Andrew, 65, and Ferguson, 66, for a quiet holiday-their last expected at the residence before Andrew vacates. Beatrice and Eugenie, meanwhile, arrived at Sandringham with their husbands, photographs show.
A family friend tells News Of Los Angeles the couple backed their daughters’ decision:
> “They live and die by the monarchy, so this didn’t surprise me at all. And Andrew and Sarah would have 1,000 percent supported it.”
The same source notes Ferguson’s view: “Her greatest gift to the monarchy was her girls.”
Navigating Loyalty and Family
Author Robert Jobson, whose book Windsor Legacy released Jan. 6, says accepting the King’s invitation was non-negotiable:
> “It’s not an invitation-it’s a command, really.”
Jobson adds the sisters “did the right thing-showing loyalty to King Charles and to the Crown,” while acknowledging their focus has shifted:
> “They’ve found love and happiness in their lives. That’s what they really want to focus on. Unfortunately, their father and mother bring drama.”
Recent appearances underscore the tightrope:
- Dec. 12: Both sisters and parents attended Beatrice’s daughter Athena’s christening; Andrew and Sarah arrived discreetly, skipped photos and the after-party
- Dec. 16: Beatrice and Eugenie smiled for cameras en route to the King’s Buckingham Palace lunch
- Dec. 25: United front at Sandringham church
Key Takeaways
- Beatrice and Eugenie prioritized royal duty over joining their banished parents on Christmas
- Andrew and Ferguson publicly endorsed their daughters’ attendance at official events
- The sisters have kept a low profile since October, limiting social appearances
- Royal historians frame their choices as allegiance to the institution rather than a snub to family
By standing with the King on Christmas, the princesses reinforced their roles within the monarchy while their parents remain outside the fold.
