According to the Mail on Sunday, the palace has decided to ban the sisters from public appearances “for the foreseeable future” – a move they say came as a “complete surprise.”

Palace draws conclusions – Ascot exit for the York sisters

The decision comes in the context of the widening scandal surrounding the House of York and its connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The names of the princesses appear several times in the so-called Epstein files. However, according to the Mail on Sunday, the move is part of a wider regulation: Beatrice, who has just been spotted for the first time since father Andrew’s arrestand Eugenie should remain excluded from all public events indefinitely.

An insider reports, according to the British “Daily Mail“: “I spoke to my friend who works at Ascot and he said the girls have been told they won’t be allowed to attend this year.” The news hit Beatrice in particular hard: “Beatrice was hit the hardest. She was completely surprised by all of this.”

According to the report, the decision was preceded by intensive discussions in the palace. It is said to have been about the future role of the sisters – against the background of “serious questions” about the nature and extent of their relationship with Epstein, including from a financial perspective.

A particularly painful exclusion for Andrew’s daughters

The exclusion from Royal Ascot is likely to hit the princesses particularly hard. The traditional event was a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The ceremonial procession in carriages has been an integral part of the program since 1825.