Princess Eugenie’s third child has been hailed as a 'Godsend' to shift the spotlight away from the Andrew drama
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are facing calls to end their high-society absence at Wimbledon this month, following a series of absences from the royal calendar.
The York sisters have maintained a low profile so far this summer, including skipping last month's Royal Ascot, usually one of their favourite and most visible annual public outings.
Their absence at Ascot followed a pattern established earlier this year when the duo missed the traditional Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle.
Aside from a private family appearance in early June for the wedding of Peter Phillips, Princess Anne’s son, the sisters have been largely shielded from the public gaze as the storm surrounding their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, continues to dominate headlines.
However, with the All England Club opening its gates for the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, commentators argue that a return to the Royal Box could provide the perfect, low-risk opportunity for the York sisters to reassert themselves.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Lynn Carratt, a PR and Entertainment Expert at E20 Communications, urged the princesses to reconnect with the British public.
"Wimbledon offers a very different type of royal appearance to Ascot," Ms Carratt said. "It's less about tradition and pageantry and more about supporting one of Britain's most prestigious sporting events. Beatrice and Eugenie have always been popular at public engagements because they come across as approachable and relatable."
Ms Carratt noted that the current ageing monarchy means the family could benefit from the sisters’ natural charm, provided the appearance is handled delicately.
"With the Royal Family still balancing workloads, appearances from the York sisters can subtly reinforce the wider family without creating constitutional questions," Ms Carratt added.
"As long as they attend in a personal rather than official capacity, it allows the monarchy to maintain visibility while avoiding overexposure."
Etiquette expert Jo Hayes agreed that the time is right for a public return, suggesting Princess Beatrice could step into a significant supporting role alongside the Princess of Wales.
"It’s fair the sisters have been laying low with the recent controversy surrounding their father," Ms Hayes exclusively told GB News. "But the British public would love to see at least Beatrice make an appearance at one of the big social events this summer - and Wimbledon would be perfect."
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Ms Hayes added: "The Princess of Wales has already made an appearance, and will likely make another one with the family, or with her sister/someone else. Beatrice would make the perfect companion for one of these events."
However, Ms Hayes cautioned that a joint appearance by both York sisters is highly unlikely due to physical logistics. Princess Eugenie, 36, is currently in the final stages of her pregnancy, having announced in May that she and husband Jack Brooksbank are expecting their third child this summer.
"It would be understandable not to see Eugenie, considering she is at the very pointy end of her pregnancy," Ms Hayes said. "Nine months pregnant, coming out in the heat, is not the most pleasant situation for any woman."
The arrival of a new royal baby, who will be 15th in line to the throne, has raised broader questions about whether the Brooksbanks are successfully carving out a fresh identity completely detached from the controversies surrounding Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson.
Addressing this potential shift, Ms Carratt told GB News: "Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have gradually built a reputation that is increasingly separate from the controversies surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
"They've kept a relatively low profile, focused on family life and charitable interests, and avoided becoming embroiled in royal drama."
Ms Carratt believes the growing family provides a natural shield against the ongoing fallout: "The arrival of a third child naturally shifts attention towards family rather than controversy, giving them another opportunity to define their own identity.
"While Andrew's legacy will inevitably remain part of the public conversation, Eugenie has consistently demonstrated that she is keen to chart her own course. For the Brooksbanks, this feels less like a reinvention and more like a continuation of a quieter, more independent chapter."
Ms Hayes concluded that the growing generation of York grandchildren will provide a much-needed public distraction for the monarchy.
She said: "The grandchildren are actually a Godsend for the entire family. Firstly, they’re such a joy and delight, and help provide some distraction/joyful relief from the pressure of the Andrew saga.
"They, especially the arrival/news of a newborn, help move the spotlight away from Andrew and Sarah and onto something far more positive and pleasant.
"And, behind closed doors, I would say they are a huge blessing for Andrew and Sarah, giving them something to do and focus on, now that they have to spend their days lying fairly low and out of the public eye."