Princess Eugenie and Beatrice 'protected' by Royal Family during festive public appearance
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's daughters were seen with the Royal Family on Christmas Day.
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice were “protected” by the Royal Family during their surprise public appearance this Christmas, an expert has said. The two sisters surprised royal fans on Thursday by stepping out with the Royal Family on Christmas Day, despite the fact their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was shunned from the celebrations.
Rather than spend the day with Andrew, who has been keeping a low profile after facing months of scandals - including accusations which he has denied - the two princesses decided to instead be with their uncle King Charles for the big day. This meant both Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, put on a brave face as they made a very public appearance on the walk to church.
Although they may have been nervous, the sisters displayed big smiles and, according to one body language expert, were being “protected” by their royal relatives.
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Judi James told The Mirror: “The Firm themselves seemed to have planned an emphatic visual 'statement' of their own when it came to the King's nieces.
“Eugenie walked to church almost right behind Charles and the way her other uncle Edward was drafted in to walk beside her, smiling and chatting, suggested formal protection and signals of ongoing cohesion.
“After the service, it was Mike Tindall on 'smile' duty, chatting and grinning to lighten the mood as the sisters were sadly thrown into the undeserved spotlight again, meaning both had 'smile prompters' to help them with their facial expressions.
“Both (Eugenie and Beatrice) performed wide smiles although there were some self-comfort signals later to suggest the pressure was still felt, particularly when they stood waiting to walk past the fans again after the service when presumably they might have been more open to responses and comments.”
The sisters seemed to face no awkward questions or comments about their father Andrew from members of the public during the walk to and from the church.
Instead, they were greeted - like the other royals - with smiles and festive well-wishes.
The sisters were joined by their husbands Jack Brooksbank and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi for the occasion, alongside many other royals.
