Members of the British public were “relieved” to see Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attend the Sandringham Christmas Day church service, according to royal witness Karen Anvil.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Ms Anvil said there had been widespread discussion among those gathered before the Royal Family arrived.
“The atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive,” she told the People's Channel.
Ms Anvil added that many people had been openly pleased to see the York sisters appear.
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“People in the queue were openly pleased and relieved to see Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attend,” she stated.
She also noted that there had been “genuine disappointment” among some members of the public earlier in the day amid suggestions the sisters might not attend.
“Many people had been discussing earlier reports suggesting they might not come,” she said.
It was previously suggested that Beatrice, 37, would jet abroad with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, to avoid all the drama.
British public admit ‘relief’ of seeing Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie amid Andrew turmoil
|REUTERS
However, this was proven to be untrue on Christmas Day when the couple stepped out in Norfolk with the Royal Family.
Ms Anvil said the sisters’ arrival immediately shifted the mood among those gathered.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attended the service with their husbands, walking past members of the public gathered along the route to the church.
Ms Anvil said she did not hear any negative comments directed at either sister during the walk.
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Princess Eugenie wore a festive green and pink check wool cape coat from Byan | GETTYAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor did not attend the Christmas Day service, and Ms Anvil said the focus remained on the sisters themselves.
She explained: “No. I did not hear negative comments directed at the York sisters, and Prince Andrew was not the focus of conversation in that setting.
“People were focused on Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie themselves and were pleased to see them.”
Ms Anvil, who has attended Sandringham for eight years, said the reception reflected long-standing public goodwill.
Royal fans showed their support for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie after they were seen during Christmas celebrations | GETTYHer footage of Princess Beatrice walking beside Mr Mapelli Mozzi went viral on TikTok, after the fan told the royal she was “so glad she came”.
The mother-of-two appeared to respond: “Oh, that's very kind, thank you.”
Beatrice and her sister, Eugenie, surprised royal fans by attending Sandringham with King Charles on Christmas Day, an event not attended by their parents, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson.
The former duke and duchess became embroiled in scandals primarily centred on their ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, leading to their unprecedented removal from public life in late 2025.