Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie could perform “a small number of engagements” amid Kate’s and the monarch’s cancer battles, a royal historian has claimed.
Prince Andrew’s daughters are not working members of the Royal Family, however, amid the current shortage of working royals, many have suggested Beatrice, 35, and Eugenie, 34, would make good options to fill some gaps in the royal diary.
King Charles, 75, and Princess Kate, 42, are currently battling cancer and are not carrying out as many public engagements.
Marlene Koenig, a royal historian, spoke exclusively to GB News to explain how Beatrice and Eugenie could be incorporated into the Firm.
The Princesses of York are not currently working members of the Royal Family
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She said: “I wrote an article not long after the Queen died, saying maybe this is time for Beatrice and Eugenie.
“We have elderly and I’m using the words ‘elderly royals’ in the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, both of whom have served since they were teenagers, and they’ve served the crown admirably with numerous engagements and charities of their own.
“And my thought was, Beatrice and Eugenie already have offices covered by the sovereign grant.
“They, like most members of the Royal Family, lost their 24-hour security at least more than a decade ago now, and only have it when they go on engagements. But they do have a small office.
“My thought was, [King Charles] can just provide Beatrice and Eugenie with a small number of engagements because they can’t do the King’s job and they can’t do Catherine’s job, but there are still the bread and butter engagements that need doing.
“There has been no announcement about divvying up the late Queen’s patronages. Of course, some go automatically to Charles. But there are plenty of patronages that he can’t do.”
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have several private patronages, however, they do not carry out duties on behalf of the monarchy.
Koenig suggested that the Royal Family will not have as many patronages in the years ahead.
Princess Alexandra and the Duke of Kent are still performing royal duties
PA
She added: “What we’re also seeing is a change in how royals carry out engagements, and that they won’t have a huge portfolio of patronages and charities anymore.
“King Charles certainly will not be replacing Alexandra and the Duke and Duchess of Kent’s charities with other royal patrons, it’s not going to happen.
“But my point is that at this point, both Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie work and have jobs. They are private and they don’t get any funding.”
Koenig pointed out that King Charles would not have to worry about providing housing for two more working royals, as the York sisters already have homes.
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Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice have homes with their families
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She explained: “One of the costs you don’t have to worry about is housing. Beatrice and Eugenie have homes.
“Regarding security, the King can just transfer the people who cover the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra on their rare official engagements to Beatrice and Eugenie. So taxpayers are not paying more money.
“Say, they do five engagements a month. That’s it. They can spend two days going to different parts of the country.
“I’m not saying their own charities should be moved up, but they could ask again for the King to decide. Although, there’s been no movement for that.”
