It is the first time they have attended the Easter service since 2023

The Prince and Princess of Wales along with their children have joined the wider Royal Family at today’s Easter Sunday service (April 5). It is the first time the Wales family have attended the Easter Matins Service since 2023.

This is because they have prioritised spending the holiday privately as a family following Princess Catherine’s cancer diagnosis at the start of 2024. It is also not customary for the heir and their family to attend the event every year.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, led the royals as they walked to church this morning. The service is being held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Prince William, Prince George and Prince Louis all wore dark-coloured suits. The Heir to the throne matched a white shirt with a blue tie, while his sons wore matching sky blue ties. Catherine wore a cream-coloured outfit, paired with a matching coloured hat. Princess Charlotte wore a beige, buttoned knee-length coat and opted not to wear a hat in the blustery conditions.

No official guest list has been released by Buckingham Palace but we can predict who will attend based on previous attendance. The King and Queen are expected to be joined by his siblings, the Princess Royal, and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Four family members will not be attending this year. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson remain in royal exile following their links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have made alternative Easter plans.

Prince William has sparked controversy with a somewhat lukewarm endorsement of the Church of England, which he will one day govern, after it was revealed he has a ‘quiet faith’.

However, if the Future King is in need of a spiritual boost, he need look no further for inspiration than his wife and sister-in-law Meghan Markle who have both leaned into their religious beliefs to manage some of life’s greatest obstacles.

The Princess of Wales reportedly used her faith as a tool while she navigated her cancer diagnosis, while King Charles also used his relationship with the church to manage his respective health battle.

Meanwhile, prior to meeting Prince Harry and converting into the Church of England, Meghan Markle, who was raised Protestant, would gather her Suits co-stars for a prayer circle before filming.

According to Meghan’s old school friend Ninaki Priddy, it was God who got the Duchess of Sussex through her ‘darkest moments’.

It comes as the Prince of Wales has revealed his commitment to the Church of England, despite not being a regular churchgoer.

Days before attending the Archbishop of Canterbury’s enthronement, William for the first time confirmed his wish to forge ‘a strong and meaningful bond with the Church and its leadership’.

While the British monarch is required to be an Anglican to serve as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, other members of the Firm are not bound to a particular religion.

1. Meghan Markle 

Raised as a protestant who attended a Catholic school, Meghan’s faith is said to be a key part of her life, with the Duchess even routinely gathering her Suits castmates for a ‘prayer circle’ before they began filming.  

‘She used to gather the cast and crew of Suits for a prayer circle before starting work,’ they claimed. ‘Her invocations on set were never about a specific theology.

‘Instead, she wanted to bring everyone together during moments of transition or difficulty.’

Writing in Finding Freedom, royal authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand reveal that although the Duchess’ family was not overly religious, she was raised with an ‘awareness of God’. 

Her mother, Doria Ragland, was brought up Protestant and her father Thomas Markle became a confirmed member of the Episcopal Church at the age of 14, but Meghan attended a Catholic school for educational reasons.

According to Thomas, Meghan was not christened as a child because he and Doria did not share the same faith.

While studying at Northwestern, one of Meghan’s best friends came from a Christian family and the pair would reportedly ‘often pray together while at school’.

Close friend Ninaki told Mr Scobie and Ms Durand: ‘Part of what helped Meghan get through this difficult time was her faith.

‘Her relationship with God and with her church is extremely important to her. That’s something most people do not know about her. It plays a central role in her life, as an individual, as a woman.’

In 2018, Meghan underwent a ‘beautiful’ baptism into the Church of England ahead of her royal wedding.

A further source claimed: ‘It’s prayer and conversations with God that have gotten her through the darkest moments.

‘That’s something that plays a significant role in her life and her relationship with Harry. The two have been on a journey of faith together.’

2. The Princess of Wales 

When Kate was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024, she reportedly turned more to her faith to manage her health battle and became ‘more interested’ in religion. 

The princess, who announced her diagnosis to the world in March 2024, was said to have become ‘rather more interested in questions of faith as a result of her condition’, according to royal author Robert Hardman. 

‘I would say that things are more hopeful there,’ one church-goer friend of the Waleses family told Mr Hardman in his book, King Charles III.

Meanwhile, according to royal expert Ian Pelham, her illness ‘strengthened Kate’s values with her Christian faith by talking to friends who have strong religious values’.

Mr Turner told Fox News Digital that these conversations had ‘impacted positively on her recovery’. 

‘It doesn’t surprise me that she is more interested in faith,” she said. “The power of faith can never be underestimated in overcoming challenging times and I hope [it] has given her immense solace,’ added Helena Chard. 

In line with her growing interest in religion, Kate has been pictured on occasion wearing a crucifix, including during a visit to Sandringham to view the floral tributes left following the death of the late Queen in 2022. 

She had worn the pendant on several occasions before, including in happier times at Trooping the Colour in 2019, which she attend with Prince William and their three children. 

The pendant features a diamond ‘bail’ – the part of the necklace that attaches a pendant to the chain.

3. The Prince of Wales 

For several years, there has been heightened speculation that William could be the first British monarch in five centuries to break official ties with the Church of England by not taking on the title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England when he eventually becomes King. 

‘He (William) is a modern young man,’ a source previously told Mr Hardman. 

‘I think he gets embarrassed by certain aspects of ceremonial and religion.’

Meanwhile, a senior Palace figure said: ‘His father is very spiritual and happy to talk about faith but the Prince is not. He doesn’t go to church every Sunday, but then nor do the large majority of the country. He might go at Christmas and Easter but that’s it.

‘He very much respects the institutions but he is not instinctively comfortable in a faith environment.’

William, 41, was confirmed into the Anglican faith in 1997, when he was 14, but is understood to only attend a ‘handful’ of services each year, mainly connected with official engagements or on special occasions in the Christian calendar, as well as weddings and christenings.

However, ahead of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s enthronement, a source close to the prince recently told The Sunday Times that it is ‘really important’ to clarify William’s stance on religion.

They added: ‘His feeling is, ‘I might not be at church every day, but I believe in it, I want to support it, and this is an important aspect of my role and the next role, and I will take it seriously, in my own way.’

An aide to William said: ‘The Prince of Wales’s commitment to the Church of England is sometimes quieter than people expect, and for that reason it is not always fully understood.

‘Those who know him well recognise that his connection to the Church, and to the sense of duty that comes with it, runs deep and is grounded in something personal and sincere.’

4. King Charles

A regular churchgoer, King Charles has embraced his role as a modern monarch and spoken openly about his interest in other religions.

Despite holding the traditional title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Charles has presented himself as a ‘defender of all faiths’, and frequently hosted faith leaders and activists at Buckingham Palace. 

Before he was officially crowned, the royal delivered a speech in 2022 in which he emphasised the need to protect other religions, later addressing this directly during his coronation.

When the King’s Coronation arrived in May 2023, the event included a procession of faith leaders. 

In his first address to the nation upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II he spoke of his responsibility to the Church of England.

When he was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024, Charles too reportedly relied on his faith as a source of comfort.

Shortly after the news of his illness broke, the King was pictured walking to St Mary Magdalene Church for a Sunday service.

5. Queen Elizabeth II 

Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth II held her Christian faith dear after first attending church with her parents, the Queen Mother and King George VI, as a child – and she once said her religion was ‘an inspiration and anchor’ during her reign.

The Monarch’s dedication to her religion no doubt helped her through some of the most difficult times in her life – particularly after the loss of her husband Prince Philip in April last year.

During her Christmas Day address to the nation in 2021, Her Majesty paid tribute to her late husband for his devotion to her and dedication to public service throughout his life.

Later in the speech, she spoke of how the story of Christ helped her, and many others around the world, appreciate new beginnings.

During 70 years of her reign, the Queen’s Christmas Day speeches invoked Biblical references to the story of the birth of Christ, as well as other stories including the Good Samaritan. 

As the world prepared to ring in the new Millennium in the year 2000, the Monarch used her Christmas Day address to honour the birth of Christ once more.

She said: ‘Today we are celebrating the fact that Jesus Christ was born 2,000 years ago; this is the true millennium anniversary.’

The monarch added: ‘For me, the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life.

‘I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.’ 

The Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla shared affectionate words at Windsor Castle

The royal family’s trademark grandeur and ceremony was on full display this week as the King and Queen played host to the president and first lady of Nigeria for the first state visit of 2026.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, were received at Windsor by Prince William and Princess Kate on Wednesday, before being accompanied to Windsor Castle for their introduction to Charles and Camilla.

William and Kate joined the King and Queen on the dais for the inspection of the guards, where the Princess of Wales shared a touching moment with Queen Camilla, reflecting the warmth between the two women.

As they greeted one another on the grounds of Windsor Castle, Kate and Camilla leaned in and exchanged kisses on the cheek, with a lip reader casting light on the heartfelt words they shared.

Speaking to the Daily Express, lip reader Nicola Hickling said she believes Kate opened the conversation with: “Good morning, how are you?”, before telling Camilla, “you look beautiful!”

Camilla cut an elegant figure in a pink wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare, complemented by a pink beret-shaped hat by Philip Treacy, reports the Mirror. She also wore the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Cartier flower clip pair of brooches, as crowds lined the streets of Windsor to witness the ceremonial welcome.

That evening, William and Kate departed from convention in the run-up to the state banquet. Prior to each state banquet last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales would share a portrait on Instagram before proceedings got under way, affording royal enthusiasts an early preview of their attire.

Yet on Wednesday evening, no such image was uploaded. Instead, the official Instagram account for the Prince and Princess of Wales released a video featuring highlights from the glittering occasion.

William and Kate eventually shared the portrait, waiting a full 24 hours after the event before posting the striking photograph. Numerous royal fans flocked to the comments section to express their delight, having been made to wait an entire day.

One person wrote: “Thank you so much! We were all expecting this portrait last night and we were sad to not see it since the ones last year were amazing. You both look absolutely gorgeous and elegant.”

Kate donned the Lover’s Knot Tiara alongside a flowing emerald gown with a high neckline by British-Nigerian designer Andrew Gn, a nod to the colours of the Nigerian flag.

President Tinubu’s visit to the UK marked the first incoming state visit in nearly 100 years by a Muslim leader during the holy month of Ramadan, during which many Muslims fast and abstain from food and drink between dawn and sunset.

As a result, there was no traditional lunch on Wednesday with the King in the castle for the president during the day. Instead, it is believed the Nigerian president privately broke his fast before joining the royal family in St George’s Hall for the banquet.

By KATIE HIND, CONSULTANT EDITOR SHOWBUSINESS

Published: 20:35 EDT, 14 March 2026 | Updated: 22:55 EDT, 14 March 2026

The Prince and Princess of Wales have had several royal residences throughout their marriage

The Princess of Wales, a devoted wife to Prince William and mother to their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – typically keeps details about their domestic life private. However, it’s understood that their sleeping arrangements at Kensington Palace are somewhat unconventional.

This is due to the fact that they don’t sleep in an upstairs bedroom like most couples. A floor plan of their home in Apartment 1A of the historic London building reveals the location of the bedrooms.

Interestingly, the main bedroom they previously used was located on the ground floor of Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace. This apartment, once the residence of Princess Margaret, boasts 20 rooms across four floors, and has its own lift, gym, and nine staff quarters.

The late Royal author Christopher Warwick shed some light on why it’s referred to as an ‘apartment’ during an appearance on True Royalty’s Royal Beat, reports the Mirror.

He clarified: “All of these royal residences at Kensington Palace are called apartments, which of course makes people immediately think they are flats like the American term for an apartment.

“They are not. If you think of Kensington Palace in a way, it is built around three courtyards. If you kind of think of them as being these wonderful red brick terrace houses. Because they are all joined, but separate houses.”

The couple has faced a challenging period following the Princess’s cancer diagnosis and her father-in-law King Charles’s health issues. They have access to Anmer Hall in Norfolk but relocated to the eight-bedroom Forest Hall in Windsor last year. Prior to that, they lived at Adelaide Cottage, a more modest property also in Windsor.

Nestled within the Crown Estate’s private 655-acre royal park, this historic residence was built in 1831 as a retreat for Queen Adelaide, consort of King William IV, and has a colourful and contentious past. Adelaide Cottage was a beloved retreat of Queen Victoria, who frequently enjoyed breakfast there. Another notable former occupant was Group Captain Peter Townsend, famously linked romantically to Princess Margaret.

Townsend, an ex-RAF pilot and equerry to King George VI, had a widely publicised romance with Princess Margaret. Their relationship caused significant controversy as Peter was a divorcé who was 16 years her senior.

In 2015, Adelaide Cottage underwent extensive renovation and now features some exceptionally lavish interior design. Reports suggest that the master bedroom boasts a ceiling decorated with gilded dolphins and intricate rope detailing.

Following Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018, there was brief speculation that the cottage might become their new Windsor residence. The couple were said to value the cottage’s privacy and its convenient proximity to London.

Prince William told Princess Anne: ‘I’ve had enough of hearing his name,’ according to a lip reader who has revealed the ‘tense’ conversations shared between the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day service.

King Charles, the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales yesterday led the largest gathering of senior royals since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, marking the annual occasion at Westminster Abbey.

During one ‘telling’ moment, William made his feelings known to his aunt, the Princess Royal, apparently saying to her: ‘I’ve had enough of hearing his name, to be honest,’ claimed Nicola Hickling.

The forensic lip reading expert and analyst at LipReader said it was unclear what Anne said to prompt this reaction as her back was to the camera. However, during the ‘brief and subdued’ conversation, William also said: ‘It’s up for debate.’

Nicola was unable to confirm who exactly the Prince was referring to with his comments but it could have been related to the ongoing fallout surrounding the disgraced former Duke of York, who was arrested two weeks ago on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Meanwhile, King Charles appeared to share a ‘tense’ moment with his son upon his arrival, saying ‘oh finally’ whilst wearing an irritated expression, the lip reader claimed. 

William responded with a quick greeting, kissing his father on both cheeks, but did not appear to say anything in return.

The King then told his sister Princess Anne: ‘It’s not good out there… it’s rather tense, isn’t it? It’s not good.’ It’s likely Charles was referring to the small but vocal group of anti-monarchist protestors outside the Abbey.

His Majesty then continued to greet the rest of his family, including the Princess of Wales, and ‘seemed to say something further to Kate and William, prompting the Prince to step slightly forward and respond: ”We’re not happy”’, Nicola told the Daily Mail.

Elsewhere, like her brother, Princess Anne also apparently referred to the protestors upon her arrival at the London occasion. According to the lip reader, she told her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence ‘don’t listen to them, ignore them’. 

The faintest occasional cry of ‘what did you know’ in reference to Andrew could be heard from a small group of flag-waving anti-monarchist protesters from the Republic pressure group, but they were competing with the sound of the abbey bells and a group of Commonwealth musicians. 

‘Oh listen to that, do you know what it is they’re playing?,’ asked the Princess Royal as she walked past the band, no doubt in an effort to distract from the protesters’ shouts. 

Earlier large crowds had gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal party, who joined an 1,800-strong congregation celebrating the historic ‘family of nations’ formed in the breakdown of the British empire but now comprising 56 independent member countries, united by ‘shared values including a commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and equality for its 2.7 billion citizens’.

The royal party arrived to a fanfare inside the Abbey with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester arriving first, followed by the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and then the Prince and Princess of Wales.

All were greeted by the Dean of Westminster and presented to the Chapter and members of the Royal Commonwealth Society.

They included Commonwealth Secretary General, The Hon Shirley Botchwey, and Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Janet Cooper.

The King and Queen were the last to arrive, shaking the hands of those in the line-up before greeting the rest of the family with warm kisses. Charles opened up his arms to welcome his eldest son and heir.

The ladies slightly giggled amongst themselves about the size of their hats, with Princess Anne smiling and indicating to Catherine that she wouldn’t even attempt a kiss. Others just offered a peck on one cheek, instead of the traditional two for fear of knocking their sizeable headwear.

Led by the King, the family then formed into a processional group ahead of the National Anthem.

The party walked to their seats behind the Commonwealth Mace Bearer during the first hymn ‘Praise To The Lord, The Almighty, The King Of Creation’.

In his annual Commonwealth Day message – which this year emphasises the theme of ‘collaboration’ – King Charles acknowledged deeply challenging times globally, but insisted it was also an opportunity for the Commonwealth to demonstrate its ‘enduring spirit’.

In his address, which was printed in the order of service, he said: ‘We join together on this Commonwealth Day at a time of great challenge and great possibility.

‘Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation. Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed.

‘Ours is a remarkable association that spans every ocean and continent. Embracing an extraordinary diversity of culture, language and faith, our Commonwealth family is united by shared values of justice, democracy, opportunity, compassion and mutual respect.

‘In a world that can feel increasingly fragmented, this voluntary union of free association remains rare and precious – a forum for open and honest discussion and debate to help improve the lives of the nearly three billion people who call our Member States home.’

He stressed that the organisation holds ‘untapped potential for prosperous trade between trusting partners’ – which some might consider a backhanded nod towards US President Donald Trump and his controversial trade tariffs.

He added: ‘With nearly two-thirds of our population under the age of thirty, we are a family defined by youth and possibility. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that they inherit not only hope and ambition, but also a world in which they can flourish.’

The King also used his message to highlight an environmental message, saying the inheritance of the Commonwealth ‘depends upon the health of our planet and on the restoration of the natural world on which we depend’.

He continued: ‘Across so many parts of our Commonwealth climate change is not an abstract or distant threat, but a lived reality. The stewardship of nature, the protection of oceans and forests, and the pursuit of prosperity secured in harmony with the natural world are duties we owe not only to one another, but to generations yet unborn.’

Highlighting this autumn’s biannual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, the King stressed that the organisation was very much the sum of its parts, saying: ‘We are reminded that the great gatherings of our nations are strengthened by the daily endeavours of their people. What distinguishes the Commonwealth is not only what our governments resolve together, but what our people do each day in countless acts of service, enterprise and creativity.

‘When leaders meet, they do so on behalf of millions whose quiet determination, resilience and generosity give true meaning to our shared endeavour.

‘Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good – grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people.’

Former royal butler says the ‘Fab Four’ relationship soured in the months before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties in January 2020

The “turning point” in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship with the royal family occurred just before the couple announced they were departing for the US, an expert has claimed. It is believed “something must have happened” prior to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex making the shocking announcement in January 2020.

Grant Harrold, a former royal butler, suggested the pair enjoyed a positive relationship with the Prince and Princess of Wales until they stepped back from The Firm, when they were dubbed the “Fab Four”. However, it was reportedly during the months leading up to their announcement that their relationship appeared to deteriorate.

Mr Harrold explained: “We saw William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan do so many things together initially, but the turning point was a few months before the announcement that they were stepping away from royal duties. They were doing events in the summer prior to that, so something must have happened in between.”

Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Mr Harrold stated Prince William was “genuinely happy” his brother had found someone. Images captured of the four together in 2019, including a photograph at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, showed just how close they had been.

Nevertheless, he says “something must have happened” before Harry and Meghan departed the UK. In a statement issued when they made this choice, the couple said: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution

“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty the Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.”

It’s understood that Harry and Meghan did not consult Queen Elizabeth or the then-Prince Charles before releasing their shocking statement in early 2020, reports the Mirror. Since then, the Duke of Sussex, 41, has told The Telegraph: “I don’t think he fully appreciated the impact the statement would have in terms of them not consulting the Queen. He regrets that.”

The startling announcement from Harry and Meghan prompted the Queen to release her own statement, confirming that the couple were no longer “full-time working members of the royal family”.

In her statement, she expressed that she would have “preferred” for the Sussexes to remain. She conceded that she understood their decision and supported their “wish to live a more independent life as a family whilst remaining a valued part of my family”.

The Prince and Princess of Wales made their first joint public appearance since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at the annual BAFTAs in London

The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out for an evening of glitz and glamour on Sunday as they attended the annual BAFTAs in London. The outing marked the first time the royal couple had undertaken a joint engagement since William’s uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday.

Following their red carpet appearance, where Princess Kate looked stunning in a pink-toned floor-length Gucci gown, Kate chatted with Emily Stillman, Chair of Bafta’s Film Committee, where she spoke openly about Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ growing love of film and how their interest in cinema is enabling her to broach “hard conversations” with them.

Emily reminisced with the princess and said: “Last time I saw you, you were pregnant with George and you were doing your Harry Potter spells”, referring to the royal couple’s 2013 visit to the Warner Brothers studios in Hertfordshire, where they toured the set of Harry Potter.

Kate replied: “I was saying how much the children would love to look around. They love the idea of going behind the scenes and finding out how it all happens.”

The Princess of Wales went on to reveal that the three children are becoming increasingly interested in films, saying: “The children are starting to get interested in films and it’s a really great way to have some of the hard conversations with them.”

Prince William and Princess Kate have a well-documented appreciation of film, having regularly attended the BAFTAs, where William has served as President since 2010, reports the Mirror. At the annual awards ceremony, Prince William made a frank remark about his wife’s reaction to the emotional film Hamnet, which was nominated in the Best Picture category.

He revealed that she was left in “floods of tears” after watching it. When questioned if he had seen the film, William candidly responded: “I need to be in quite a calm state and I am not at the moment. I will save it.”

In conversation with Emily Stillman, Kate remarked: “Yes, I think it was a very bad idea actually… ended up with very puffy eyes.” She described the film as “really very very powerful”, lauding the “fantastic” and “raw” music score and discussing its depiction of “intergenerational grief”.

The BAFTAs appearance by William and Kate comes amid reports from royal insiders that the Prince of Wales is committed to aiding the King in regaining the nation’s trust, following the arrest of former prince Andrew that has embroiled the royal family.

Mountbatten-Windsor was interrogated for 11 hours last week over allegations of misconduct in public office, and the future king has been discreetly formulating plans to transform the monarchy. According to sources, William aims to manage the institution with a “corporate-like structure” to enhance accountability to the public.

The arrest of the King’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, last Thursday on suspicion of leaking confidential information to his billionaire paedophile friend, Jeffrey Epstein, has sharply raised questions about the suitability of the monarchy.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are confronting their disgraced father’s explosive arrest as the sisters may soon face a fight for their royal futures.

The former Prince Andrew, 66, was arrested Thursday — his birthday — on suspicion of misconduct in public office during an inquiry linked to his ties with Jeffrey Epstein. He is accused of sharing confidential trade information with the late convicted sex offender.

The late Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite son is the first senior British royal to be arrested since King Charles I nearly 400 years ago. After being held for about 11 hours, Thames Valley Police confirmed to Fox News Digital that Andrew was later released.

“While both daughters were loyal to their parents, they now face the untenable choice of whether salvaging their own futures must prevail, given even their maiden York name is so toxic,” British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital.

“They have been understandably distressed by the Epstein file contents regarding both their parents, but will no doubt create even more visible distance from their parents while perhaps still supporting them privately,” Fordwich shared. 

“They now have tough decisions to make. All children faced with the despicable behavior of their parents have to make such a choice.”

Fordwich’s statements came shortly after People magazine reported that the York sisters are attempting to navigate the family’s latest fallout. While Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, have maintained a close relationship with their parents, the dynamic is shifting.

“They’re trying to stay away from it,” a source told the outlet. “They have young children, and this is their grandfather — their focus is on protecting their own children from this.”

In addition to protecting their young children from the scrutiny, “they’re also putting pieces of the puzzle together in real time and realizing they may have been used,” the source claimed.

“That has to feel like a complete betrayal. They’re heartbroken — but a dad is still your dad, and a mom is still your mom. Love for a parent isn’t a light switch. It’s an incredibly painful and introspective moment for them.”

The whereabouts of Beatrice and Eugenie’s mother, Sarah Ferguson, remain unclear. The Daily Mail reported that she was last publicly seen leaving Royal Lodge, her ex-husband’s former 30-room estate, in September. 

Although they divorced in 1996, the pair continued living there. Her last social media post, also in September, commemorated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Ferguson’s spokesperson for comment.

Fordwich is adamant that the sisters have a tough road ahead of them as working royals.

“Only total nitwits wouldn’t see that their parents’ close association with a convicted pedophile would be totally toxic to the monarchy, indeed, in society at all,” she explained. “If one’s parents behave so despicably, those of age have tough choices to make.”

“Andrew has been dependent upon his daughters for emotional support, which to date hasn’t wavered. But they are most likely not to appear publicly with him again.”

“They may try to continue their charitable work, but those charities are unlikely to want to be associated with such a family,” Fordwich warned.

To date, Eugenie and Beatrice have not released a public statement — unlike their uncle, King Charles III. Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital he isn’t surprised.

“Eugenie and Beatrice will keep a low profile for a few weeks while The Firm decides what will happen next,” he said. “Obviously, the charities they support will be very anxious about any ongoing negative brand issues related to their father. It doesn’t help that Sarah has fallen off the radar.”

“The temperature at the palace is off the scale,” he said. “A YouGov opinion poll has revealed that 78% of those questioned want Andrew held accountable in both the U.K. and America.”

On Friday, police continued searching Andrew’s former home. The British government is also considering whether to formally remove him from the line of succession. 

Despite being stripped of his princely title in October and now facing a police investigation, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne — a change that would require new legislation.

“The government is considering any further steps that might be required, and we’re not ruling anything out,” announced James Murray, the government’s chief secretary to the Treasury.

The last time a royal was removed from the line of succession was after the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936. The law was changed to remove him and any descendants from the list.

Fordwich pointed out that the king wanted to protect his nieces from the public scrutiny surrounding their father. However, the crown must always come first.

“King Charles has wanted to project his charitable, forgiving nature by including both girls at public family events,” she said. “He is profoundly concerned about them. But the institution must be protected first. Still, he doesn’t want to punish his nieces for their father’s debauchery.”

Andrew appears in multiple documents among the 3 million pages related to Epstein released by the U.S. Department of Justice, including emails from Ferguson referencing their daughters. Inclusion in those files does not imply wrongdoing.

People reported that Andrew sent Epstein family Christmas cards in 2011 and 2012 featuring photos of Beatrice and Eugenie.

Epstein was convicted in 2008 on one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of procuring a minor for prostitution. He served 13 months in jail and died in custody in 2019.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleged that Epstein trafficked her to Andrew for sex when she was 17, filed a civil lawsuit in 2021. The case was settled out of court in 2022, with Andrew admitting no wrongdoing.

Giuffre, 41, died in 2025. Her posthumous memoir reiterated her claims.

Fordwich said that the sisters will likely continue to keep a low profile as their father’s scandals are dealt with by the law.

“Their only chance of any sort of inclusion in the royal family is if they remain scandal-free, as well as totally and utterly supportive of the royal family, hence the choices they must make,” said Fordwich.

“Eugenie was skiing in Switzerland when her father was being arrested,” Fordwich shared. “Best she sticks to that. Prince William, their cousin, will not bow to sentiment like his father. His focus as heir to the throne will be on the long-term survival of the monarchy. He will enforce a tougher stance, limiting all non-working royals.”

“Prince William is well known to have zero tolerance for any reputational risk,” Fordwich added.

Andrew announced in October that he was giving up his royal titles, and the palace confirmed later that month that the king had “initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew.”

The decision followed Andrew’s initial step back from public life in 2019 after his BBC interview, in which he discussed his relationship with Epstein. On Feb. 3, Andrew vacated Royal Lodge, three months after the king ordered him to surrender his lease.

A spokesperson for Ferguson previously told The Guardian: “The duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims.”

According to People, Ferguson had planned to “forge an independent life” away from her ex-husband. It’s understood she would be spending time abroad as she contemplated her next move. A spokesperson for the former Duchess of York had no comment for the outlet about her current location.

Police said Andrew was released under investigation, meaning he has neither been charged nor exonerated.