Royal fans split over whether Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie should attend Ascot

Reports from March had suggested the princesses were barred from attending this year's festival. However, Hello! reported in April that King Charles had extended an invitation to both sisters.

The publication also noted that senior royals have been maintaining contact with Beatrice and Eugenie during a challenging period for the pair.

The daughters of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson have been dealing with the consequences of their parents' association with Jeffrey Epstein.

Public opinion on social media has been sharply divided over whether the sisters should attend the Berkshire event.

Some supporters have rallied behind the princesses, with one fan writing: "They are HRH Princess so yes of course!"

Another echoed this sentiment, posting: "Absolutely! They should not be punished for what their parents did!"

Others, however, have expressed reservations about the presence of non-working family members at such prominent occasions.

One critic commented: "Absolutely not the @RoyalFamily and @KensingtonRoyal have really got to see the optics of all these non working Royals."

A friend of the princesses spoke to Hello! in April about the toll recent events have taken, particularly on the elder sister.

"The question is, would they want to go to a public event of that nature?" the friend said. "They will get criticism whether they go or not and not just that event. They just can't win."

The source added: "Bea has found the scrutiny very hard, especially the strain of the past few weeks. It has felt as though things have been in freefall, and she's being hammered and bullied by commentators."

The Berkshire racing festival runs from today until June 20, with the traditional carriage procession serving as one of its most anticipated features before attendees gather in the Royal Enclosure.

Should the princesses attend, their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank would likely accompany them, following the pattern of previous years.

Last year, both sisters were present at the event, with Beatrice joining Ms Ferguson on opening day alongside Mr Mapelli Mozzi.

The princesses have been notably absent from several recent engagements, including the Easter Sunday service and the Cheltenham Racing Festival.

Eugenie has also stepped down as patron of Anti-Slavery International.