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Prince Andrew’s ‘biggest supporter’ is daughter Princess Beatrice as the disgraced royal faces ‘hard times’

The Duchess of York has revealed how princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are doing in the wake of the scandal engulfing their father, Prince Andrew.

Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Picture: AFP
Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Picture: AFP

Sarah Ferguson says her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are “remaining strong and steadfast” throughout Prince Andrew’s recent scandal.

In a video shared online, Fergie praised her daughters Princess Beatrice, 31, and Princess Eugenie, 29, and said they had kept ‘going on and on’ despite recent woes.

“Those girls are the most precious blood in my veins,” he said. “And recently … you know … they are so strong and so steadfast. I believe we shine by helping others and selflessness is exactly right.”

“The girls are there, they’re humble and they keep going on and on.”

“It’s like Rudyard Kipling wrote, ‘If you can keep your head when all men doubt you’. My girls are amazing.’

Britain's Prince Andrew (L), Britain's Princess Eugenie of York (2nd L), Britain's Princess Beatrice of York (R). Picture: AFP
Britain's Prince Andrew (L), Britain's Princess Eugenie of York (2nd L), Britain's Princess Beatrice of York (R). Picture: AFP

BEATRICE IS ANDREW’S NUMBER ONE SUPPORTER

Princess Beatrice is in full support for her father Prince Andrew despite his alleged ties to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, according to a new report.

Beatrice, 31, is set to wed fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi sometime in the coming year, and although her father skipped her recent engagement party, sources told People she is still standing by his side.

“She’s his greatest supporter,” an insider told the outlet, adding that the current firestorm surrounding Prince Andrew has presented “obviously very hard times.”

The source added that Prince Andrew still plans to walk Beatrice down the aisle in 2020, although a wedding date has not officially been announced by the royal family just yet.

According to the magazine’s insiders, Prince Andrew is also still close with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and daughter Princess Eugenie, 29.

Princess Beatric, right, with her fiance, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Picture: Twitter
Princess Beatric, right, with her fiance, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Picture: Twitter

“They are still travelling together, they are still going ahead like normal,” the source said, according to Fox News. “Beatrice would never do anything to be hurtful to her father. He’s going to try to be by her side and she’s going to be by his.”

Beatrice and her multi-millionaire property tycoon fiance announced their engagement in September.

“We are extremely happy to be able to share the news of our recent engagement,” the couple said in a statement. “We are both so excited to be embarking on this life adventure together and can’t wait to be married. We share so many similar interests and values, and we know that this will stand us in great stead for the years ahead, full of love and happiness.”

Andrew and Ferguson released a joint statement following the exciting news from their daughter.

“We are thrilled that Beatrice and Edoardo have got engaged, having watched their relationship develop with pride,” Beatrice’s parents said. “We are the lucky parents of a wonderful daughter who has found her love and companion in a completely devoted friend and a loyal young man. We send them every good wish for a wonderful family future.”

Prince Andrew pictured as he drove into Buckingham Palace for the Queen's Christmas lunch. Picture: AP
Prince Andrew pictured as he drove into Buckingham Palace for the Queen's Christmas lunch. Picture: AP

PRINCE ANDREW TO MISS ROYAL CHRISTMAS

Prince Andrew won’t celebrate New Year with his family at their $A25 million Swiss ski lodge this year, it is claimed.

Following his absence from Princess Beatrice’s engagement party, it’s been reported by The Sun that the under-fire Duke Of York will be “lying low” while ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and daughters Beatrice and Eugenie head to the exclusive Swiss Alpine village of Verbier.

Eugenie and Beatrice will join Fergie at the Alpine ski resort after spending Christmas in Sandringham with the Queen and royal family.

Andrew was forced to step down from royal duties because of allegations connected to his friendship with convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.

Prince Andrew, then wife Sarah Ferguson and daughters Beatrice (right) and Eugenie at Verbier in 1999. Picture: Supplied
Prince Andrew, then wife Sarah Ferguson and daughters Beatrice (right) and Eugenie at Verbier in 1999. Picture: Supplied
The Duchess of York and her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie in Verbier in 2004. Picture: Getty
The Duchess of York and her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie in Verbier in 2004. Picture: Getty

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His relationship with the billionaire came under further scrutiny following allegations by Virginia Roberts Giuffre that she was trafficked to the prince and had sex with him three times.

Prince Andrew has always denied her claims.

Britain's Prince Andrew. Picture: AFP
Britain's Prince Andrew. Picture: AFP
Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Picture: AP
Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Picture: AP

A friend of Sarah Ferguson told The Daily Mail: “The Duchess of York will be spending Christmas in Switzerland.

“Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will be joining her after they’ve spent the festive period with the Royal Family at Sandringham.

“Prince Andrew will not be joining them this year. He will be lying low back home.”

Andrew and Fergie bought the $A42,000-a-week luxury chalet in 2014, and the Duke was said to be there with close pals when the Epstein scandal broke in 2015.

Prince Andrew will be home alone. Picture: AFP
Prince Andrew will be home alone. Picture: AFP

The seven-bedroom pad boasts an indoor swimming pool and sauna, a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom fur throws, antiques and artworks.

This week, Andrew decided to miss Beatrice’s star-studded engagement party over fears of causing “embarrassment or abuse”.

The bash took place at showbiz hotspot Chiltern Firehouse to celebrate Beatrice’s engagement to property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Princess Eugenie let Andrew go to her wedding last year. Picture: AFP
Princess Eugenie let Andrew go to her wedding last year. Picture: AFP
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew. Picture: Getty
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Andrew. Picture: Getty

He attended the Queen’s Christmas lunch with other senior members of the royal family, as well as a staff party at Buckingham Palace.

Andrew abandoned his royal duties following a disastrous Newsnight interview in November.

During the bombshell interview Prince Andrew denied sleeping with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, on three separate occasions, twice while she was underage.

He said at the time: “I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein.

It looks like Prince Andrew will miss out on the family photo again this year. Picture: Getty
It looks like Prince Andrew will miss out on the family photo again this year. Picture: Getty

“His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.

“I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives.”

Ms Giuffre has spoken in support of Princess Eugenie and Beatrice, accepting that they are “going through hell”.

The New York State Sex Offender Registry’s photo of Jeffrey Epstein. Picture: AP
The New York State Sex Offender Registry’s photo of Jeffrey Epstein. Picture: AP

She tweeted: “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, I have no qualms with them.”

Royal courtiers have been discussing banning Andrew from attending church with the Queen at Sandringham on Christmas Day over fears his presence will attract sex abuse campaigners.

However, it has since been indicated that he will still be present.

Prince Andrew in Kuwait in 2000. Picture: AFP
Prince Andrew in Kuwait in 2000. Picture: AFP

This story first appeared in The Sun and has been republished here with permission.

Originally published as Prince Andrew’s ‘biggest supporter’ is daughter Princess Beatrice as the disgraced royal faces ‘hard times’

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/prince-andrew-will-not-celebrate-new-year-with-his-family-at-their-a25m-verbier-ski-lodge-after-the-epstein-scandal/news-story/3f666f5ee678989ed208d3102e4741aa