Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will not be joining the Royal Family at Royal Ascot this year due to growing concerns about the House of York's mention in the Epstein files.
The pair have been told they will not be joining the royals in their box at the horse racing event scheduled for June.
It is understood that the move is part of a wider exclusion of the princesses from all public events for the foreseeable future.
As revealed by the Mail, a source told the paper: "I've spoken to my friend who works at Ascot, and they said the girls have been told they can't be there this year.
The princesses have been banned from attending Royal Ascot | GETTYTRENDING
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"Beatrice has taken it the hardest. She's been completely blindsided by all of this."
Prince William is said to have advised other royals not to appear in photographs with the pair "for the rest of the year".
The sisters have been rarely seen since their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested.
Beatrice was spotted for the first time with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, as the pair took a stroll through London.
It is understood that the move is part of a wider exclusion of the princesses from all public events for the foreseeable future
|GETTY
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The royal was dressed casually and clutching a takeaway coffee as she walked with the property developer and two companions, curator Carrie Scott and her partner Nick Lazarus.
The last previous public sighting of the princess dates back to late January at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Eugenie was photographed in Central London this week, appearing at ease despite the turmoil surrounding her family following her father's arrest.
The princess was seen carrying refreshments from Joe & The Juice.
Princess Eugenie was seen 'chatting away' in London on second public appearance since father's arrest earlier this week (STOCK)
| GETTYThis sighting followed an earlier appearance just two days prior, when Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank were captured on camera collecting coffee together in Notting Hill.
According to a source who spoke to People about the February 24 outing: "She was chatting away with someone she knows and seemed very relaxed. It was all very casual."
The source further noted her cheerful disposition, adding: "She was laughing and joking.
"She looked happy and at ease, not like someone trying to hide."
Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank were seen in Notting Hill (STOCK)
| GETTYThe princess's relaxed public appearances stand in contrast to other family members who have withdrawn from view.
Sarah Ferguson has reportedly been concentrating on her wellbeing amid the ongoing fallout connected to newly emerged evidence regarding her and Andrew's association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Reports indicated the duchess spent time at a luxury wellness facility in Switzerland during late December and January.
She has maintained a very low profile since news of the arrest emerged.
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