Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie Hold Honors Despite Zero Official Duties — Should Prince William Strip Their HRH Status?

It is the ruthless machinery of the British monarchy that often dictates survival: birthright no longer guarantees immunity from the cutting room floor. For the daughters of the disgraced Duke of York, the walls of royal privilege appear to be closing in. Despite carving out their own paths away from the wreckage of their parents' reputations, fears are mounting that they may soon be stripped of their royal distinctions entirely.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are now facing intense public scrutiny over their status, with experts telling RadarOnline that the future King William should consider stripping them of their titles and styles. This drastic move would be part of wider, sweeping reforms designed to streamline the institution and protect its longevity.

The sisters, daughters of ex-Prince Andrew, 65, and Sarah Ferguson, 66, currently retain the titles of princess and use the style of Her Royal Highness. This is despite the fact that neither sister undertakes official duties on behalf of the crown, and despite their parents being stripped of their own royal titles following Andrew's disastrous links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Why Public Scrutiny Is Mounting on Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie

The debate centers on the confusing 'half-in, half-out' nature of the sisters' existence within the firm. While they are often seen waving from balconies or attending high-profile family gatherings, they do not serve the public in any official capacity. According to sources, this ambiguity is sitting uncomfortably with palace strategists.

A royal insider claimed: 'Beatrice and Eugenie show up at family events, but they don't perform any official royal duties. The public sees their titles but doesn't see them contributing to the institution, which creates confusion'.

The argument suggests that in a modern era, where the monarchy is funded by the taxpayer, holding a title should equate to active service. Another insider added: 'Their roles are more symbolic than practical. Nowadays, the public expects anyone with a royal title to play an active and meaningful part'.

This sentiment aligns perfectly with the vision held by Prince William, 41. The future king has previously emphasised the need for reform across the monarchy. Speaking candidly in a chat with actor Eugene Levy, William stated: 'Change is on my agenda... There are points when you look at tradition and go, Is that still fit for purpose today? Is that still the right thing to do?'

The process of reducing the number of working royals is already well underway. The Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, and the Duke of Gloucester are largely retired from formal duties. By the time William succeeds his cancer-battling father, Charles, 77, as king, it is expected that only six or seven working royals will remain to undertake official responsibilities.

How a Slimmed-Down Monarchy Affects Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie

The issue extends beyond mere appearances; it is also a matter of financial transparency and potential conflicts of interest. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie both maintain lucrative private careers — Beatrice, 37, in technology strategy, and Eugenie, 35, in the art world. While their drive for financial independence is commendable, it complicates their royal status.

Past controversies involving members of the family using royal connections for private business gain have fuelled calls for clearer boundaries. A source familiar with palace planning said: 'The goal is to make a clear distinction between those who officially represent the crown and those who are private family members. Beatrice and Eugenie fall into the latter group, so reviewing their titles makes sense'.

Another insider noted: 'This isn't a personal issue – it's about updating the monarchy to improve public clarity and ensure financial accountability'.

There is certainly historical precedent for such ruthless pruning. In 1917, King George V issued Letters Patent restricting the title of Prince or Princess to the children of the sovereign and the children of the sons of the monarch. Queen Elizabeth II later updated these rules in 2012.

Royal historians suggest new Letters Patent could further slim the ranks, solidifying the distinction between working royals and private citizens. Furthermore, sources suggest that under William's future reign, transparency will be paramount. This could include publishing finances and tax contributions to reduce perceptions of privilege.

As a palace insider claimed: 'There's a strong drive to make the monarchy more accountable. Titles aren't merely symbolic – they come with responsibilities. Reducing them is part of a wider effort to modernize the institution'.