How Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice could be stepping up amid Royal Family health troubles

Release time：2024-05-21 10:40:08 Source：Culture Compass news portal

The Princess of Wales's video - in which she candidly revealed her cancer diagnosis - sent shockwaves across the world.

And with both herself and King Charles III in recovery and treatment, the public has seen a number of senior royals - including Queen Camilla, Princess Anne as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh step into the fray and take-up royal duties.

Two young royals who could also be on the radar to be more visible at engagements are the monarch's nieces - Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.

The pair - who have also grappled with health issues in the family after their mother Sarah Ferguson was diagnosed with breast cancer, and only shortly later, skin cancer - appear to be a beacon of strength amid difficult times for the Firm.

They have been championing their own causes as well as being on hand to accompany family members during a tumultuous time. 

Two young royals who could also be on the radar to be more visible at engagements are the monarch's nieces - Princesses Eugenie (pictured) and Beatrice

Just this week, Eugenie, 34, channelled the Princess of Wales - known for her work with young people - as she read to school children while promoting Camilla's late brother's elephant conservation charity.

She chatted to the children from Garden House School at Elephant Family's Little Egg Hunt in Sloane Square, London, on Thursday. 

Wildlife conservation charity Elephant Family was established in 2003 by Her Majesty's late brother Mark Shand.  

Calling Mark 'a dear friend' the royal, said she got involved in the event because the charity is close to her family's heart.

In a subtle nod of support to the Queen, Eugenie said: 'It was so important to be here because I have worked with the Elephant Family for so many years now and they are a charity so close to my heart, close to my family's heart.

'Mark Shand who started the charity was a dear friend and what they are in doing in saving elephants and making people aware about what's going on is so important for the world to know. 

'The Legacy that they have created and the excitement around egg hunts or bamboo elephants in Hyde Park, it brings elephants to London which I have never seen before, so bridging that gap with what happens in the wild, which you might not see every day, can actually come to a city so we can learn about what goes on.'

The Easter egg hunt and art installation is a celebration of art, philanthropy and Easter presented by the royal charity and Clarence Court eggs.

The pair - who have also grappled with health issues in the family after their mother Sarah Ferguson was diagnosed with breast cancer, and only shortly later, skin cancer - appear to be a beacon of strength amid difficult times for the Firm. Pictured in November

Both were present at the World Economic Forum in Davos - where Eugenie spoke about how becoming a mother has changed her, including fuelling her passion to tackle climate change and giving her a fear of flying

The Princess of Wales's video - in which she candidly revealed her cancer diagnosis - sent shockwaves across the world

And with both herself and King Charles III in recovery and treatment, the public has seen a number of senior royals - including Queen Camilla, Princess Anne as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh step into the fray and take-up royal duties. Charles pictured in December

Earlier this month, Eugenie and Camilla also joined Zara Tindall at Cheltenham festival's 'Style Wednesday' in a show of family unity.

The royal cousins led the way as thousands descended on the racecourse for the newly-named second day of the festival, which has previously been known as 'Ladies Day'. Equally stylish in appearance, and certainly fitting the brief, were Zara and Eugenie's husbands Mike Tindall and Jack Brooksbank. 

The following day, the royal family put on another uncharacteristically loved-up display as Beatrice and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi joined Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall at Cheltenham races.

Beatrice, 35, looking chic in a brown coat, hairband and Kate Spade bag, wrapped her arms around cousin Zara, 42, who opted for a grey coat and green fascinator.

They have been championing their own causes as well as being on hand to accompany family members during a tumultuous time. Beatrice and her husband at a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine last month

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on day three of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse

The Firm appeared to be keeping calm and carrying on amid the family's troubles with brave faces.

Princess Anne also joined the royal day out, looking effortlessly chic in a green coat and a velvet hat in a darker shade. 

Eugenie this month also took to her social media to once again show support for her family - as she interviewed Sarah for Mothers' Day.

Addressing her as 'mumsy', Eugenie said The Duchess of York, colloquially known as 'Fergie', is a 'huge inspiration' to her, her sister Beatrice and her friend Julia de Boinville, who she founded her charity the Anti-Slavery collective with.

In a video for the Anti-Slavery collective, she said: 'Your purpose has always been to impact people across the world, and it's been such an inspiration to me growing up.

'You really are an inspirations as a mother and a leader.'

In a gushing chat, Fergie said that she was 'so proud' of her daughters, and loved her grandchildren but sees her children as 'hers'.

The ex-wife of Prince Andrew added that her late mother-in-law the Queen was the 'most extraordinary woman' she has ever met.

'She had such humility, such kindness, such strength. She always allowed other people to talk and have their moment.

'She didn't judge, she waited.

'I often asked her "what do you really do?" and she said, "I'm always the chairman, never the CEO'". 

She added that Nelson Mandela, Maria Montessori, and Mother Teresa were among the other inspirational people she's met in her life.

The Firm appeared to be keeping calm and carrying on amid the family's troubles with brave faces. Eugenie pictured reading to school children this week

Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie pictured in a united display at the The Cheltenham Festival last week

The video came just days after Eugenie shared a collection of previously unseen snaps of herself with her mother, sister and late grandmother to mark International Women's Day. 

And Beatrice has too appeared to show support for the Princess of Wales as she appeared at an event to mark Student Mental Health Week where she spoke on a panel about young people's wellbeing - championing a cause that many will associate with Kate.

The King's niece joined forces with US-based company Chegg to take part in the event in the capital.

As she appeared at the event run by Chegg, a company based in Silicon Valley, in conjunction with UK charities Student Minds, the Mental Health Foundation and Big Change Beatrice donned a black belted coat in tweed by Majé costing £535, paired with an A-line Alexander McQueen A-line skirt, tights and lace-up boots.

In a photo posted on X/Twitter by Chegg's chief communications officer Heather Hatlo Porter, the royal mother-of-one is seen smiling as she chats to some young people.

As Heather posted the snap, she wrote that she was 'so grateful' to have heard the royal speak at the event.

She added: 'Let's face loneliness together' - suggesting the event was specifically focused on loneliness in particular.

Beatrice has also stepped in causes dear to her own heart as last month she hosted a tea party for Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, of which she is a patron, at St James's Palace, London.

Eugenie this month also took to her social media to once again show support for her family - as she interviewed Sarah for Mothers' Day

The event saw the royal meet with close supporters to discuss her longstanding association with the group, having benefitted from its services before officially joining as Patron.

She adopted a business-as-usual approach as she carried out her role as Patron of Helen Arkell Dyslexia charity.

Beatrice commenced the proceedings by sharing her personal experience with the learning difficulty. She explained her determination to 'change the narrative' so dyslexic individuals are valued for the attributes that they bring to the world.

The royal also listened to a speech from Jemima Spurr, and individual who has benefitted from the charity's services.

The charity, which provides specialist support, advice, and information to people with dyslexia, enabled Jemima to maximise the positive gifts from the condition, such as the ability to 'think outside the box'.

Jemima said: 'I was so excited to meet Princess Beatrice.

'She came straight over to congratulate me on my speech and to thank me for sharing my story.'

Kate's cancer battle in her own words: The Princess of Wales' emotional video statement in full 

I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I've had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to

George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.

Both sisters have also shown their commitment to other causes near and dear to the King as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales - the environment.

Both were present at the World Economic Forum in Davos - where Eugenie spoke about how becoming a mother has changed her, including fuelling her passion to tackle climate change and giving her a fear of flying. 

She discussed how she is changing her behaviour at home (for example, not using plastic) to educate her son, August, on the importance of protecting the environment. 

The Duke of York's daughter shared that becoming a mother has made her more concerned for communities vulnerable to climate change in a discussion with Reuters IMPACT and Arctic Humanity at Risk Basecamp, a non-profit organisation to highlight the impact that climate change is having on the Arctic.

Speaking with Reuters editor-at-large Axel Threlfall and Arctic Humanity founder Gail Whiteman, Eugenie said: 'My son's going to be an activist from two years old, which is in a couple of days. So, he, everything is for them.

'I talked to Peter Thomson, the UN Special Envoy for Oceans and all he says to me is that I do this for my grandchildren. And that's the same.

'Every decision we now make has to be for whether August, what he's going to be able to look at and do and how he's going to live his life.

'But I think also as a mother, you all of a sudden, totally you change, your hormones change, everything changes.

'Like now I'm scared of flying and things like that and I would never be before.'

Queen Camilla has too been praised for stepping up to her role with composure, according to experts.

Last month Camilla was the most senior royal at the event for the late King Constantine of Greece, with her husband absent.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said Camilla confirmed herself as her 'husband's rock' and 'exuded confidence'. Fellow expert Phil Dampier praised Camilla for doing a 'fantastic job in recent weeks keeping the royal road show on the road'.

In Charles's absence from public duties after his cancer diagnosis earlier last month, 76-year-old Camilla became the most senior royal performing engagements.

Related articles