THE Royal Family may need a “plan b” when it comes to its working individuals, and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice may have to step up, according to an expert.
Katie Nicholl spoke on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show about how King Charles’ plan for a “slimmed down monarchy”, may have to be rethought.
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The Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent explained: “We don’t have Harry and Meghan over here, who would have been doing so much of the work.
“The Duke of York has been ostracised and stripped of his royal duties.
“We’ve got Princess Anne, who’s about to turn 75 but still carrying out hundreds of engagements a year. We’ve got the Edinburghs.
“We’ve got the Waleses but you know, with the princess having gone through her own health journey, her workload has been reduced over the past year.
More on Beatrice and Eugenie
“So there’s got to be a plan b. We may have to look at something different.
“I think the king’s whole idea of a slimmed down monarchy is something that is having to be readdressed because of circumstances within the royal family.”
Katie stated that Princess Beatrice, 36, and Princess Eugenie, 34, could find themselves with a larger role within the royal family as a result.
The daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, are currently not considered working royals and don’t receive public funding for their security.
The royal expert continued: “When you look at Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, they’ve been very much encouraged to go and live independent lives of the royal family, to earn their own living, not to be dependent on taxpayer funded security, not to be a drain, I suppose, on the public purse.
“So it would be a step in a different direction.
“I think possibly it is being looked at.
“I mean, Princess Beatrice was there on Christmas Day, that was a sort of very visible presence for her.
“They’re sort of welcoming her back into the royal fold.
“I know that both Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are keen to do some royal work around their jobs and their home lives.”
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York sisters’ ‘normal’ lives
Princess Beatrice who is expecting her second child with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, pursued a career in finance, working first as an analyst at a wealth management firm before eventually becoming the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at software company Afiniti.
Meanwhile, Princess Eugenie moved to New York to work for the online auction firm Paddle8 as a benefit auctions manager in 2013.
In July 2015, she returned to London to work for the Hauser & Wirth art gallery, as an associate director, and two years later was made a director of the company.
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Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice’s close bond
Over the years, the Queen‘s granddaughters have often spoken about their incredible bond and have previously described themselves as “each other’s rocks.”
Princess Beatrice was the first child born to the Duke and Duchess of York – Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson – back on August 8, 1988.
The Duchess gave birth at London’s Portland Hospital for Women and Children, and Beatrice’s full name was announced as Beatrice Elizabeth Mary almost two weeks later.
The couple – who divorced in 1996 – then welcomed Princess Eugenie, whose full name is Eugenie Victoria Helena, on March 23, 1990.
As a result of their close bond, it’s no surprise that back in 2018, as Eugenie made her way down to Windsor Castle for her royal nuptials, her maid of honour Beatrice was firmly by her side.
When asked about her maid of honour by TLC, Princess Eugenie said, “I can’t think of anyone I’d want by my side other than her.”
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank are parents of two little boys, August and Ernest.
Host Bronte Coy pointed out that things have “changed so dramatically for the royal family in recent years” that we could see “some new approaches in the future.”
Lady Louise’s future role
Katie also stated that Prince Edward and Sarah, Duchess of Edinburgh’s children Lady Louise, 21, and James, Viscount Severn, 17, could get involved with royal duties.
She added: “One wonders if perhaps that’s a template that might work for Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor, because I think there’s had to be a rethink at the palace, because the shape of the royal family, the dynamic of the royal family, has changed.
“There is a way of doing it, and it wouldn’t necessarily have to be the case that Lady Louise and Viscount Severn would have to be full time wearing roles.
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“I think there is a compromise here.
“She’s at university, he’s at boarding school. They’re clearly going to go on their own trajectories.
“When you look at Sophie and Edward, they’re so down to earth in so many ways.
“They’ve shielded those children very deliberately from the spotlight, thrusting them to a life of royal duty, I don’t think is on the agenda.
“But I don’t think it’s completely a wild idea that they might be called upon on occasions where appropriate to support the monarchy.”
Bronte added: “Particularly because, as I understand, Lady Louise turned down the opportunity herself to have the HRH title.
“It’s expected that her brother may do the same, but we’ll see.
“I suppose anything could happen under a new reign.”