Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie appear to be stepping back from public engagements for the time being as their father, Prince Andrew, formally relinquishes his Duke of York title and remaining royal honours.

The sisters were expected to attend a high-profile event at the British Museum over the weekend — one that drew several celebrities and members of the aristocracy — but neither appeared. Their absence came just a day after Andrew’s announcement, which has sent ripples through royal circles.

On Friday, the 64-year-old prince confirmed that he would be giving up his titles following renewed scrutiny over his long-standing association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her three times in 2001 when she was 17 and under Epstein’s control. The prince has repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegations.

However, controversy deepened after a newly unearthed email allegedly showed Andrew corresponding with Epstein in 2011 — months after claiming he had severed contact with the financier. In the message, said to have been sent from Andrew’s official account, he reportedly told Epstein they were “in this together” and suggested they would “play together soon,” urging him to “keep in close touch.”

In his statement on Friday, Andrew said the continuing accusations had made it impossible for him to retain his titles, writing: “The continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”

Meanwhile, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson has also faced renewed scrutiny after reports suggested she had accepted money from Epstein over a 15-year period.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams described this as a “deeply painful” moment for Beatrice and Eugenie, who now find themselves navigating intense public attention surrounding both their parents. It is also said to be a major setback for the princesses, who had reportedly hoped to take on more prominent roles within the royal family.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who served King Charles (then Prince of Wales) between 2004 and 2011, recently offered insight into the sisters’ private demeanour. Speaking to the Express, he described the pair as “very kind and gentle,” recalling: “Princess Eugenie and her sister Beatrice were always really nice. Whenever I dealt with them, they were very sweet and polite — always said their please and thank yous.”

Harrold added that the King has long been fond of his nieces and would likely continue to include them in private family gatherings. “He will encourage them to come to family events,” he said, “and will want them to be part of those personal celebrations.”

Princess Eugenie currently lives with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, at Ivy Cottage on the Kensington Palace estate, while Beatrice and her husband, property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, are based in the Cotswolds in a £3.5 million home.

Despite maintaining close ties with their parents, Eugenie told Vogue in an earlier interview that she and Beatrice are determined to forge their own path. “We want to show people who we are — working, young, royal women, not afraid of putting ourselves out there,” she said.

Yet palace insiders suggest their upbringing has made that path complicated. One royal source told the Daily Mail: “Beatrice and Eugenie grew up in a world where there was always someone to do everything for them. That was illustrated when Beatrice had her BMW stolen in 2009 after leaving it unlocked with the keys in the ignition. She was simply used to her protection officer handling such things.”

Whether their current retreat from public life is temporary or a more permanent move remains unclear. But with their father’s reputation once again under fire, the York sisters face one of the most difficult chapters of their lives — both as royals and as daughters.