Topics: Royal Family, UK News, Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein, Princess Beatrice, Christmas
After critics slammed their joint appearance at Sandringham this Christmas following their parents' recent disgrace, a number of royal fans have jumped to the defence of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
The sisters were spotted alongside a number of senior royals on Thursday (25 December), attending a festive service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
In photos which have since gone viral online, 35-year-old Eugenie is seen smiling as she and husband Jack Brooksbank followed King Charles III and Queen Camilla into the religious venue, having been personally invited by the pair.
Beatrice also tagged along, with she and other-half Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi following in suit behind the Wales'.
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According to royal experts, the King had no doubts about inviting Beatrice and Eugenie to this year's seasonal celebration - despite the pair usually attending with their father, the man previously known as Prince Andrew, and mother, Sarah Ferguson.
The former couple had their invitations to Sandringham revoked back in October, when Andrew had both his dukedom and a handful of military titles stripped in light of damning new revelations regarding his relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He and Ferguson - who divorced in 2004, but continued living together - were also evicted from Royal Lodge, where they've lived for 18 years.
The following month, after the posthumous release of his alleged victim Virginia Giuffre's harrowing memoir - in which she detailed intimate encounters with 65-year-old Andrew, which she claimed occurred when she was a minor - the father-of-two had his 'Prince' title removed.
Ferguson also had her 'Duchess of York' title (which she retained after their split in something of a rarity) stripped following emergence of a 2011 email she sent to Epstein, in which she described the paedophile as both a 'supreme' and 'dear, dear friend'.
Given that neither of their daughter's have been linked to Epstein's crimes in any capacity, it's hardly surprising that the King invited them to this year's festivities, with royal experts claiming their attendance purposed to send the clear message that they are not 'guilty by association'.
Despite this, following their church visit on Thursday, Beatrice and Eugenie have been subjected to cruel comments from online trolls, many of whom questioned their supposed 'boldness', given that files related to Epstein - many involving Andrew - are still being rolled out by the House Oversight Committee in the United States.
As we say, however, a number of fans have since spoken out against the criticism, pointing out that Beatrice and Eugenie were children when their father's alleged abuse occurred.
"Why should the kids be punished?" one Reddit user questioned in response to the backlash. "That is not fair."
A second agreed: "They were forced to call him 'Uncle Jeffrey'. It’s so icky. Why blame them for Andrew and Fergie’s gross behaviour?"
"Those girls have nothing to do with their dads behaviour," a third went on. "I think it’s great that the King is being clear that they are part of the family."
A fourth questioned: "What have Beatrice or Eugenie done? Are they responsible for being Andrew's children?"
A fifth also continued: "Beatrice and Eugenie, like the rest of us, didn't get to choose their parents. They can't be held responsible for the dirt bag their father is and the horrible grifter who birthed them."
Another also spoke out in defence of Charles, who invited his nieces along.
"He's being a good uncle by giving them family during a time when they are dealing with their parents being pieces of shit. This is a kindness," they added.
One also wrote: "Why would anyone criticise Charles for showing support to his nieces? Were they involved?"
Commentator Charlie Proctor recently explained Charles' decision to invite the pair on the Royal Central website.
"For several years now, Beatrice and Eugenie have existed in a kind of constitutional limbo," he began. "Not working royals, yet not quite private citizens either; loyal daughters, but daughters of a man whose name has become shorthand for reputational damage."
He continued: "Every public appearance has therefore carried an unspoken question – are they being unintentionally punished for Andrew's public controversy, or carefully insulated from it? This week's answer was clear. They are to be insulated.
"The King's Christmas lunch is not a casual family meal but a curated guest list, one that signals who remains within the perimeter of royal acceptability."
