Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Focus on Protecting Their Children Amid Prince Andrew’s Arrest

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are facing renewed family turmoil following the arrest of their father, the former Prince Andrew. The sisters, both mothers of young children, are prioritizing their families while grappling with the fallout of Andrew’s ongoing scandals.

Andrew’s Arrest

On February 19, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, tied to his long-scrutinized relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The disgraced royal, already stripped of his titles and forced to vacate his Windsor residence, was released under investigation after 11 hours in custody.

Beatrice and Eugenie’s Response

According to a source speaking to PEOPLE, the sisters are “trying to stay away from it” for the sake of their children.

“They have young children, and this is their grandfather — their focus is on protecting their own children from his,” the source explained.

Beatrice, 37, shares two daughters, Sienna and Athena, with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who also has a son from a previous relationship. Eugenie, 35, is married to Jack Brooksbank and has two sons, August and Ernest.

Piecing Together the Past

The sisters are reportedly “putting pieces of the puzzle together in real time” as new evidence emerges. Thousands of pages of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice include emails between Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, and Epstein, some referencing or involving Beatrice and Eugenie.

The revelations have left the princesses heartbroken.

“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,” the source said.

Family Fallout

Sarah Ferguson’s role in the scandal has also drawn scrutiny. Emails suggest she arranged meetings between her daughters and Epstein shortly after his release from prison in 2009. Ferguson’s current whereabouts remain unclear, though sources indicate she may be seeking independence abroad.

Meanwhile, Andrew has retreated to Wood Farm on King Charles’ Sandringham estate after losing his longtime Windsor home.

A Painful Chapter

For Beatrice and Eugenie, the priority remains shielding their children from the scandal while reconciling their own feelings of betrayal. The sisters continue to maintain private ties with their parents but are determined to protect their families from further harm.