Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, are reportedly resisting any suggestion that Sarah Ferguson could live with them, according to sources.
The York family has faced increased scrutiny following the release of the Epstein files and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest in September.
A close source has revealed that Eugenie and her husband “are resisting any suggestion from her mother that she should come and live with them".
“Because to be frank Sarah is difficult to live with and they don’t want the responsibility of looking after her at the moment.
Eugenie and Mr Brooksbank are said to be refusing to let Sarah Ferguson move in with them
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“That’s not to say they are not concerned about her welfare – they just don’t actually want her to be living with them, even temporarily,” they told the Mail.
Another source said Mr Brooksbank’s “code of honour” means he does not want to “completely desert Andrew and Sarah” but he refuses to "step into the line of fire".
“His first loyalty has to be to his wife and their two young children. The whole sordid affair has already brought them a great deal of unwarranted attention and he won't do anything to increase that.”
They continued: “Jack has worked very hard building his business, and it’s going well so the last thing he needs is for the Epstein scandal to taint that.
“He will do everything he can to keep his head below the parapet because of that.”
Following the release of the Epstein files, the York sisters have been dragged into the scandal surrounding their parents, after files seemed to suggest Ms Ferguson took the sisters to see the disgraced financier after his release from prison for child prostitution offences.
The whereabouts of the former duchess is currently unknown
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“Jack has long been well liked by the Royal Family. He is popular and mingles well with other family members at Sandringham at Christmas, for example, and also when he goes up to Balmoral for shoots with them,” another source began.
“The repeated mentions of Eugenie and her sister in the Epstein files may have moved the goalposts.
“There is clearly concern now that Eugenie and Jack will be tainted by association because of her parents and understandably in public the royals are keeping their distance from them.
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“But Jack has his own business interests. He's not a person who has tried to cash in on his royal connections.
“He has tried to carve his own path and build his career on his own merits, Jack is glad he has done that and is not dependent on any of them or guilty by association,” they said.
Jack Brooksbank is said to be held in high regard within the Royal Family
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Being named in the Epstein files does not indicate any wrongdoing.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing, and Sarah Ferguson has previously stated she regretted her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, she stated: “I would never have anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again. I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children. It was a gigantic error of judgment."
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