Prince William reportedly sought an internal review of the business activities of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as part of a broader effort to protect the reputation of the British monarchy, according to royal biographer Andrew Lownie, who claims the sisters did not comply with the request.
The allegation, which has not been confirmed publicly by Kensington Palace or representatives for the York family, has renewed debate over transparency, commercial interests and the future direction of the monarchy under a slimmed-down royal model increasingly associated with William and King Charles III.
Speaking on the Daily Mail's Palace Confidential podcast, Lownie said William wanted reassurance that the York sisters' private business dealings posed no reputational risks to the institution.
"We had a moment where Prince William wanted them to carry out an audit of their business activities, to satisfy him that there were no embarrassing stories there," Lownie said. "I understand that they didn't do that and that doesn't look good. We need more transparency from all members of the Royal Family to restore trust and respect."
Neither Kensington Palace nor Buckingham Palace has publicly acknowledged such a request. No evidence has been released confirming an audit was formally demanded or refused, leaving the account dependent largely on Lownie's reporting and sourcing.
Still, the allegation lands at a sensitive moment for the House of York, which continues to face fallout connected to Prince Andrew and his long-running association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Although Beatrice and Eugenie are not working royals and receive no direct funding through the Sovereign Grant, both remain high-profile members of the royal family who continue to carry titles, patronages and public visibility at selected ceremonial events.
That hybrid position - partly private, partly royal - has increasingly complicated discussions around accountability and image management within the monarchy.
Lownie argued that the sisters continue benefiting from royal proximity while operating outside the stricter controls imposed on senior working royals. "The obvious thing for them to do would be to give up their titles and retire from public life. Concentrate on their careers and families," he said.
Both women have built professional careers independent of palace funding.
Key roles currently held by the York sisters include:
- Beatrice serves as Vice President of Partnerships and Strategy at Afiniti
- Eugenie works as a director at Hauser & Wirth in London
There have been no allegations of criminal wrongdoing involving either sister or their employers. The debate surrounding the alleged audit request centers instead on optics, governance and whether royal titles can be cleanly separated from private commercial influence.
The issue has become more politically charged because of the continuing controversies surrounding Andrew. The Duke of York has faced years of scrutiny over Epstein-related connections and was effectively removed from frontline royal duties.
Recent reports have further intensified pressure after claims that Andrew was questioned over alleged misconduct tied to his past role as a trade envoy, though no charges have been publicly announced and investigations remain unresolved.
Against that backdrop, critics of the York branch argue that reputational damage surrounding Andrew inevitably spills over onto the wider family, including his daughters. Supporters of Beatrice and Eugenie, however, contend that both women have largely avoided scandal personally while pursuing careers and family lives outside formal royal service.
The monarchy's challenge, analysts say, lies in balancing modernization with public trust. William has increasingly positioned himself as a future king focused on discipline, institutional credibility and a leaner monarchy less vulnerable to reputational crises.
