Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are quietly enjoying a royal advantage that Prince Harry once fought hard to secure but was ultimately denied. The development has reignited debate about fairness inside the monarchy and the different paths taken by royal siblings.
The Duke of Sussex famously requested permission from the late Queen Elizabeth to continue carrying out royal engagements despite stepping back as a full time working royal. His proposal which later became known as the half in half out model was firmly rejected by the Palace.
Prince Harry’s refusal marked a defining moment in his relationship with the Royal Family. At the time officials made it clear that senior royals could not pick and choose duties while pursuing private commercial interests.
Fast forward to now and royal watchers have noticed a striking contrast involving Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Despite not being full time working members of the firm the York sisters have continued to appear at select royal engagements.
A royal correspondent recently highlighted this discrepancy pointing out that Beatrice and Eugenie are effectively benefiting from a setup Prince Harry was never allowed to have. The situation has raised fresh questions about consistency within the institution.
Simon Vigar addressed the issue while speaking on the Sun’s Royal Exclusive podcast. He described the past year as particularly difficult for the daughters of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
According to Vigar it has been a devastating year for the sisters who have had to navigate personal challenges alongside renewed scrutiny surrounding their family. Despite this they have maintained a visible presence at certain royal events.
The royal expert explained that Beatrice and Eugenie occupy a unique position within the family. They occasionally carry out public engagements while also maintaining private careers and personal lives outside the royal spotlight.
Vigar openly acknowledged that their arrangement closely resembles the model Prince Harry once requested. He noted that the sisters are not full time working royals yet still participate in royal life when needed.
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He added that because Beatrice and Eugenie are not constantly in the public eye they avoid the intense exposure faced by senior royals. This balance allows them to retain a level of normalcy while still supporting the Crown.
The comparison with Prince Harry has not gone unnoticed among royal commentators. Many argue that the Sussexes were denied flexibility while the York sisters are quietly benefiting from it.
However others point out that Beatrice and Eugenie never publicly challenged the monarchy or stepped away amid controversy. Their quieter approach may have played a role in preserving goodwill within the Palace.
Simon Vigar also hinted that the sisters could become increasingly important during Prince William’s reign. With a slimmed down monarchy and fewer working royals their support may be quietly welcomed.
As the Prince of Wales prepares for his future role there is growing speculation that trusted family members could be called upon more frequently. Beatrice and Eugenie’s willingness to assist without demanding status may work in their favour.
For Prince Harry the contrast is likely frustrating. His desire to maintain a foot in royal life was denied outright yet the model appears to exist in practice for others.
The situation underscores how personality public conduct and timing can shape royal outcomes. While rules may appear firm their application often depends on circumstance and trust.
As the monarchy evolves under King Charles and eventually Prince William the role of non working royals may continue to shift. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie seem well placed to benefit from that flexibility.
Whether this fuels further debate about Prince Harry’s treatment remains to be seen. What is clear is that the York sisters are enjoying a royal perk once firmly out of reach for the Duke of Sussex.
