Netflix's remarkable re-enactment of Prince Andrew's interview, "Scoop," dominated the streaming charts after its release last week, leaving the royal family embarrassed about his involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein case.
The dramatized TV movie, starring Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew, served as a heartbreaking reminder of the prince's self-destructive interview with the BBC in 2019, during which a Newsnight journalist focused on his friendship with the convicted pedophile. Friends say it has put "immense pressure" on his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, to sever ties with their troubled father.
“Both of them have their own young families and that’s their priority,” one unnamed insider told Woman’s Day Australia. “This situation with their father just won’t go away and no amount of ‘distance’ seems to be enough, especially for Beatrice. She’s completely distraught at having an actress re-enact her role in that disastrous interview – one that turned her world upside down.”
Princess Beatrice, who is the mother of Sienna and Wolfie, has worked hard to establish herself as a valuable member of the royal family, and was promoted to Counsellor of State following Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022.
“With so many senior members dealing with health issues, Beatrice has the chance to step up in her role, but this situation with her father is leaving a stain on everything she does,” the tipster added. “It’s no susrprise her sister has moved to Portugal, but being so close to home, Beatrice knows she’s going to have to consider whether to cut ties with her father. Her in-laws are adamant about it!”
Pals speculated that Princess Beatrice's husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, had been advised by his aristocratic family to avoid the controversy. “He would never pressure Beatrice to cut ties with her father – that decision is up to her, but he has reminded her there are two families’ reputations to consider,” an informant told the entertainment news outlet.
“Eugenie and Jack [Brooksbank, her husband] have already made it clear they want to stay away for now, but Beatrice and Edo do want to help King Charles and make their mark on history, just without these awful reminders of ‘randy Andy,’” it furthered.
Meanwhile, The Sun reported that Princess Eugenie, who turned 34 on March 23, was "too embarrassed" to celebrate with 64-year-old Andrew, preferring to spend the occasion quietly with Jack and their two sons, August and Ernest.
“It’s clear where the sisters stand. They have no choice. They’ve got to think about their futures and their children. Being dragged through the mud by Andrew’s problems is something he shouldn’t expect them to do, but they’re lucky that [their mom] Sarah’s somehow navigating a way,” the insider told Woman’s Day Australia.
The Duchess of York returned to the Windsor clan on Easter Sunday, greeting both delighted wellwishers and concerned fans following her own skin cancer diagnosis in January. The Duchess of York has expressed her "shock" at being diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, but is in "good spirits."
In an Instagram post, she expressed gratitude for the "many messages of love and support." The melanoma was discovered after removing a cancerous mole while receiving treatment for breast cancer.
Sarah Ferguson, the duchess, had several moles removed and examined while undergoing reconstructive surgery. "I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer," she said on Instagram.
It was her second cancer diagnosis within a year after being diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer and having undergone a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. "Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock, but I'm in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support."
"Her dermatologist asked that several moles be removed and analyzed at the same time as the duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, and one of these has been identified as cancerous," her spokesman stated, as per BBC.
He added that she was undergoing further investigations to ensure this had been caught in the early stages. "She believes her experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma."
According to sources close to the duchess, she has returned to the UK after initially recuperating in Austria. One informant said a second cancer diagnosis within six months is a significant challenge to deal with, but she is a resilient person who is receiving care and support from family.
The Duchess has demonstrated an impressive ability to recover from adversity. Last year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram screening.
“Sarah’s not going anywhere, and with Charles, Kate and their mom dealing with cancer, Beatrice and Eugenie want to help. They owe it to their most beloved grandma, the Queen, who they both adpred. But show far they’re willing to alight with their father is a true sticking point. It’s easier for Eugenie, being based in Portugal, but for Beatrice, who is desperate to be an active rostered member of the family again, it’s a very awkward and difficult situation,” the spy added.
Both Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have yet to comment on the claims that they are being pressured to cut ties and distance themselves from their “disgraced” dad, Prince Andrew. So, avid followers of the royal family should take all these unverified reports with a grain of salt until everything is proven true and correct.
