Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have reportedly been left horrified by a collection of emails their mother, Sarah Ferguson, appears to have sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Sources close to the royal sisters describe them as "aghast" and "mortified" by the alleged correspondence, which has now come to light in the newly released Epstein files.
The insider told the Daily Mail: "They are aghast at what they have read. They are mortified by the emails their mother has sent to Epstein. It is so embarrassing for them."
The princesses are said to feel ashamed by the nature of their mother's alleged messages to the paedophile financier.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have reportedly been left horrified by a collection of emails their mother, Sarah Ferguson, appears to have sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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In the emails, the former Duchess of York appears to lavished praise on Epstein.
On 3 August 2009, Ferguson allegedly wrote: "In just week, after your lunch, it seems the energy has lifted. I have never been more touched by a friends kindness than your compliment to me in front of my girls. Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for."
A subsequent message saw her appear to describe the late financier as "a legend" while expressing overwhelming gratitude.
"You are a legend. I really don't have the words to describe, my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me," she appear to write.
A subsequent message saw her appear to describe the late financier as "a legend" while expressing overwhelming gratitude.
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The princesses are also said to be "appalled" and "embarrassed" by newly emerged photographs showing their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, crouching over an unidentified woman lying on the floor.
According to sources, King Charles and Prince William allegedly appear to have been forewarned about these revelations through intelligence briefings conducted late last year.
The source explained: "It seems clear that William and the King were given some kind of forewarning in intelligence briefings late last year about what was still to come."
This reportedly informed the decision to remove Andrew and Sarah from Royal Lodge and strip them of their Duke and Duchess titles.
The princesses are said to feel ashamed by the nature of their mother's alleged messages to the paedophile financier.
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The source added: "We don't believe the girls [Beatrice and Eugenie] were told much about what has just emerged, and they will simply be aghast at just how close their parents were to this appalling man."
Previously released correspondence showed Ferguson referring to Epstein as her "supreme friend" on 26 April 2011 – mere weeks after publicly declaring she would never have any further contact with the sex offender.
Her spokesperson offered an explanation last year, claiming the duchess's messages were written "in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats" following alleged legal threats from the financier.
The former Duchess of York has previously made clear her regret of knowing Epstein, saying: "I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf… I will have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again."