Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie skip Easter after dad Andrew's arrest

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie skipped Easter church service amid their dad Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's legal troubles.

The princesses were notably absent from the royal family's traditional gathering at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, for Easter church service, after the former Prince Andrew's arrest in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The sisters attended a 2025 Easter service with their parents, Mountbatten-Windsor and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, but were seen without their parents attending the family's traditional Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church later in the year.

The pair were recently absent as several other members of the British royal family − Prince William, Princess Kate, King Charles III and Queen Camilla − were spotted at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9, for the 2026 Commonwealth Day Service.

An unnamed royal source told Reuters and ABC that the princesses made the decision to skip Easter service.

In addition to the king and queen, William, Kate and their three young children − Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis − turned out, marking their first Easter appearance since 2023. The king's other siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, were also in attendance.

King Charles stripped Andrew of his royal title in October, initiating a formal process to remove the former Prince Andrew's title and honors. His daughters were not affected by the ouster and retain their princess titles.

Charles spoke out shortly after news of his brother's arrest, encouraging a "full, fair and proper" investigation. "In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation," her said in the statement provided by Buckingham Palace, adding, "the law must take its course."

The former prince has faced intense scrutiny over his friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, has denied any wrongdoing and said he regrets the friendship; he has not been charged.

Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has also been caught in the Epstein fallout. Her one-time friendship with Epstein reportedly became apparent after her name came up in the Epstein files, resulting in several charities announced they would cut ties with her in September.

Ferguson's spokesperson declined to comment on the charities' actions at the time, but said in a statement to BBC and People that she "cut off contact" when she became aware of the allegations against him. Ferguson has not been accused of any wrongdoing tied to Epstein.

Contributing: Edward Segarra and Kim Willis