In a move that has sparked considerable discussion among royal watchers and historians, Princess Eugenie, the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York, has been notably ‘bypassed’ by King Charles III in a decision that has been described as a significant royal snub.
GB News learnt that, Princess Eugenie, 34, and her sister, Princess Beatrice, 35, are not working members of the Royal Family. This status has been highlighted recently as King Charles III has made adjustments to the composition of senior working royals who support him. Unlike her sister Beatrice, Princess Eugenie is not a Counsellor of State, a role usually reserved for the Sovereign’s spouse and the next four people in the line of succession over the age of 21.
The recent changes have come about due to Prince Harry and Prince Andrew stepping back as working royals. Consequently, Princess Anne and Prince Edward were promoted under the Counsellors of State Act 2022, despite Princess Eugenie being ahead of them in the line of succession.
Marlene Koenig, a royal historian, provided insight into the situation, explaining that when Charles became King, he was no longer a Counsellor of State, which moved Princess Beatrice up to that spot. “So, Anne and Edward were pushed up, bypassing Princess Eugenie, because say for example, if Harry was removed, Eugenie moves up because she’s the next in line,” Koenig explained.
The historian further noted that King Charles adjusted the roles to create a group of ‘working royals’, which now includes Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Anne, who is approaching her 74th birthday.
Despite not being working royals, both Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have been visible during significant royal events. They attended a Coronation Big Lunch in Buckinghamshire, representing the Royal Family alongside other royal pairings. This appearance was seen as a subtle sign that they might have important roles to play in the Royal Family’s future.
Princess Eugenie, in particular, has expressed a desire to focus on her charitable work, such as her role as an Ambassador for the Blue Marine Foundation. She has also co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective, demonstrating her commitment to causes dear to her.
The situation with Princess Eugenie highlights the delicate balance within the Royal Family between public duties and personal preferences. While some royal commentators have suggested that the York Princesses should step up and perform duties on behalf of King Charles, it is clear that Princess Eugenie prefers to maintain a quieter life with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and focus on her charitable interests.
The discussion around Princess Eugenie’s role within the Royal Family comes at a time when there is much speculation about King Charles’s intentions to streamline the monarchy. With the recent stepping down of senior royals, there is a question of whether Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie might be called upon to take on more responsibilities.
However, recent polls suggest that the popularity of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie may not be at a level that would support them becoming full-time working royals. This, coupled with the controversies surrounding their father, Prince Andrew, adds complexity to any potential increase in their royal duties.
The decision to ‘bypass’ Princess Eugenie in favor of other royals for the role of Counsellor of State has opened up a broader conversation about the future structure of the monarchy under King Charles III. While Princess Eugenie may have been overlooked for this particular role, her ongoing charitable work and public appearances suggest that she will continue to be an active and valued member of the Royal Family, albeit in a less formal capacity
