Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are said to be "utterly mortified" following claims made about their father, Prince Andrew, in a new royal biography.
The two royals have been described as "keeping a distance" from the Duke of York amid the storm of public attention.
The allegations were made in an upcoming book from Andrew Lownie purporting to unearth new information about Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
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Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have been described as 'incredibly mortified' over the new claims about Prince Andrew
|Lownie describes the explosive biography as a "tale of childhood trauma, infidelity, lust, betrayal, corruption, greed, extravagance, arrogance, entitlement, establishment cover-up and hubris".
Amid the maelstrom of reaction to the new claims, a source close to the family of Beatrice and Eugenie has said they have been left "utterly mortified".
The source suggested the global interest in the book has been greater than they anticipated and has further affected their relationship with Prince Andrew.
"They're keeping a distance from (their) dad," the source told the Daily Mail.
GB News has approached representatives of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie for comment.
An explosive new royal biography has made several new allegations about the Duke of York
|GETTY
Ingrid Seward, the biographer of Sarah Ferguson, said both York daughters will be "finding this very difficult – it's a horrid time".
"I'm not surprised they haven't come out and said anything in his defence. For his girls to show their solidarity publicly wouldn't benefit them in any way," Seward said, the Daily Mail reported.
The timing of Lownie’s book has been a particularly awkward one for Beatrice, who has been celebrating her 37th birthday.
It is the royal's first birthday since her youngest daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose, was born in January earlier this year.
The news comes at an awkward time for Beatrice, who is celebrating her 37th birthday
|PA
Beatrice shares two children with her husband Edoardo Mappelli Mozzi, Athena and three-year-old Sienna, and co-parents his son from a previous marriage.
Marking the occasion, Edoardo posted a loving tribute to Instagram alongside a glamorous photograph of Beatrice taken at Royal Ascot in 2023.
The property developer captioned the image: "Happy Birthday to my BEAUTIFUL wife. You are the greatest. We love you so much. E,W,S,A xxxx."
The affectionate sign-off represented Edoardo himself, his son Christopher Woolf (known as Wolfie), and the two daughters he shares with Beatrice.
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Beatrice was supported with birthday messages from her husband, mother and sister
|Eugenie also supported her sister with a sweet message, writing: "Happy birthday to my dearest Beabea.. my big sissy, the best in the entire world."
Beatrice’s mother, Sarah Ferguson, as sent a birthday message in which she began: "There’s nothing quite like holding you in my arms and feeling the incredible bond we’ve shared since the day you were born.
"You continue to inspire me every single day with your strength, your kindness, and the beautiful way you love and care for your family.
"Moments like this will never get old and I cherish them more than words can say. The hugs, the laughter, the quiet understanding between us. You make me so proud to be your mum, and I feel endlessly grateful for the woman you’ve become," she concluded.
The tribute was accompanied by a video of the mother and daughter warmly embracing.