Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie have recently become key supporters of the Royal Family in a private capacity
GB News
The King will celebrate his official birthday on Saturday, June 14
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The Royal Family would face a “huge problem” if Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour, according to a royal commentator.
The two royals, the children of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, have become regular supporters of the Prince and Princess of Wales and other senior royals recently.
Presence on the balcony, where senior royals will observe a fly past and wave to fans, is normally reserved for working members of the Royal Family. Yet, the growing popularity of Beatrice and Eugenie had led to some speculation over a potential appearance.
It has even been suggested Prince William may one day consider expanding the working Royal Family to include his cousins, with the pair said to be "waiting in the wings" on a decision.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams swatted away the notion of an imminent change in status for Beatrice and Eugenie, suggesting the inclusion of currently non-working royals at Trooping the Colour would send the “wrong message.”
However, he also pointed to a more serious issues with a hypothetical appearance.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie may face a 'huge problem' with a potential Trooping the Colour appearance.
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Fitzwilliams felt Beatrice and Eugenie’s connection to their father, Prince Andrew, would raise awkward questions for King Charles at a time where he would hope to show the Royal Family united and in full glory.
“It would bring into focus the fact that Andrew does not appear, and anything to do with him is still too toxic,” the expert told GB News.
Princess Andrew, the King’s younger brother, withdrew from public life in 2019 under intense scrutiny for his association with the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and related allegations.
While the Duke of York his consistently denied any wrongdoing, the saga has cast a considerable shadow over his reputation.
The royal sisters have become consistent supporters of the Royal Family in recent times, leading to speculation about a potential appearance in future
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Fitzwilliams continued that the royal balcony appearances are an “iconic” symbol of unity and prestige that extended back to Queen Victoria.
Therefore, the royals present and the minutiae of how they behave on the balcony are “noted” closely.
“Unfortunately for Yorks, there is a problem, a huge problem, and it would send a message that would not be appropriate at the moment,” Fitzwilliams said.
A potential appearance from Beatrice and Eugenie at such a high level would currently “bring the debate back to where it was” on their father.
Fitzwilliams' believed Beatrice and Eugenie's connection to their father, Prince Andrew, posed issues for a more visible presence among senior royals
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The expert added that this was ultimately an aspect of royal life “that everyone has got used to."
In what may come as another blow to royal fans, it was revealed last week that King Charles will not personally ride during this year’s Trooping the Colour, owed to his ongoing cancer treatment.
Instead, the monarch will ride in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla for the procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back.
Charles has long been present in the saddle during the celebrations for his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and rode in own first parade as monarch in 2023.
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The Trooping the Colour balcony appearances are an 'iconic' aspect of royal symbolism and therefore any adjustment would make significant waves.
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However, the King’s ongoing cancer treatment forced him to take a carriage for proceedings in 2024, and the same protocol will now be followed this year.
He is not expected to take to the saddle personally again during future Trooping the Colour.
“I think that it's only sensible, given the treatment for cancer and the fact that he did so last year for the same reason,” Fitzwilliams said.
Despite being a keen equestrian all his life, the expert believed Charles would have already made his peace with hanging up his reigns for good.
“He’ll be accepting it,” the royal expert concluded, adding that Charles will recognise that it his appearance in any capacity that would be key to the success of the grand ceremony.