Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie "just can't win" as Ascot approaches and their attendance hangs in the balance, a source has claimed.
King Charles has reportedly extended an invitation to Beatrice and Eugenie for this year's Royal Ascot.
The alleged gesture from the 77-year-old monarch comes just months after the Mail reported in February that both princesses had been barred from the prestigious June racing event due to concerns surrounding their parents' connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
GB News has approached Buckingham Palace for comment on the reports.
Beatrice and Eugenie 'just can't win' as Ascot decision weighs in the balance
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Senior royals have "continued to check on them," according to reports in Hello!, though a friend of the sisters questioned whether they would wish to attend such a high-profile occasion.
"The question is, would they want to go to a public event of that nature? They will get criticism whether they go or not, and not just that event. They just can't win," the friend claimed.
It was confirmed earlier this week that Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 36, will not be present at the Royal Family's Easter gathering on April 5, an arrangement made with their uncle's agreement.
The pair are nonetheless welcome to participate in future family occasions, Palace aides confirmed.
Princess Beatrice joined Prince William at Royal Ascot in 2024 | GETTYLast June, both sisters spent two days at the Ascot races alongside their husbands, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, where they were seen conversing with the King.
Their mother, Sarah Ferguson, also attended the event over two days.
The former Duke and Duchess of York were both identified in documents released by the US Department of Justice on January 30 as part of its ongoing Epstein investigation.
Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie pictured at Royal Ascot last year | PALATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Princess Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson pictured at Royal Ascot last year
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The files revealed further details about the apparent extent of their relationship with the American financier, who died in 2019 whilst awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Being named in these documents does not imply any wrongdoing, and neither Mr Mountbatten-Windsor nor Ms Ferguson have faced charges in connection with the matter.
Speculation about strain in Beatrice's marriage to Mr Mapelli Mozzi, 42, has been dismissed as "complete nonsense" by a source close to the couple in late March.