Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are the first daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York. All the while they’re sailing into uncharted territory as members of the British Royal family and doing real philanthropic work. They are respectively 36 and 35 years old. They are in fact ninth and twelfth in line to the throne today. While no longer working royals, their work across several philanthropic endeavors is a testament to a lifelong pledge of public service.
Royal Princess Beatrice with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Kew Gardens, Sept 2023. They honored the groundbreaking work of the Elephant Family, a group dedicated to preserving wildlife and conservation ethic. This high-profile appearance shines a light on her commitment to social impact and her dedication to using her platform to promote charitable causes.
Environmental champion Princess Eugenie has taken on a mentorship role, working alongside The King’s Foundation. We’re excited by how she’s working to empower even younger changemakers through their recently opened 35 Under 35 network. Her involvement demonstrates her commitment to fostering future leaders while continuing her advocacy work in areas such as health and human rights.
Strong Ties to Philanthropy
Both princesses are personally invested in the unglamorous, unsettled, and unsexy world of direct charitable work on behalf of their causes. Princess Beatrice is a supporter of the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, which aids individuals struggling with dyslexia, highlighting her dedication to education and personal development.
Princess Eugenie is an active patron of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Charity. She co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective to fight human trafficking. Additionally, she serves as an ambassador for the Blue Marine Foundation, an organization devoted to restoring ocean ecosystems.
Their actions are an excellent example of passion driven with a public purpose. Ingrid Seward, a long-time royal biographer, declared their greater than usual promise to change the royal family for good.
“When William ascends the throne, Beatrice and Eugenie will be valuable assets, and I’m certain they will get involved with royal duties. It makes perfect sense because he will need them,” – Ingrid Seward.
Close Family Bonds
Beatrice and Eugenie’s bond goes beyond their royal pedigree. They routinely and publicly shower one another with praise on social media. This showcase is an exhibition of their deeply felt sisterly connection, one that has anchored their lives.
Eugenie has said that just as their experiences have created trauma, those same experiences have built a real bond between them.
“Beatrice and I, we’ve always had each other,” – Eugenie.
She elaborated on the unique understanding they have of one another’s challenges:
“We’re the only ones going through exactly what the other is going through at exactly that time as a girl – in our family, our place of work, whatever it is,” – Eugenie.
Their mutual admiration fosters a collaborative spirit that enriches their individual pursuits.
She was a great mother,” wrote Ingrid Seward in praise of their familial dynamics. She deemed them “wonderful, beautiful young women”—who together maintain their purity in the face of the perilous forces of royal existence.
“Despite having commercial careers, to their credit, they haven’t put a foot wrong,” – Ingrid Seward.
Future Royal Roles
As the monarchy continues to change, millions have windowshopped for a glimpse into the future roles of the newlyweds’ sisters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Although they currently lead lives away from traditional royal duties, their contributions to charity indicate a readiness to take on more responsibilities if called upon.
Ingrid Seward told Royal Central that neither princess is looking to move into higher profiles. Yet, they say, they would appreciate a larger role in royal functions when possible.
“I think they would be open to doing more because they like to give back,” – Ingrid Seward.
She contrasted their would-be future contributions with those of past royal personages. These figures performed all of this work off stage, never in pursuit of the limelight.
“I see them taking on the sort of role that Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Kent had when they were younger, working very hard doing philanthropic work but not taking centre stage,” – Ingrid Seward.
The monarchy is preparing for a new era, with Prince William expected to ascend the throne one day. It will be interesting to see how Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie address their roles in this new normal.
