The move echoes his earlier decision to reclaim Frogmore Cottage from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Crown Estate property, originally gifted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2018, was taken back after Prince Harry published his memoir Spare in 2023.
“The message is clear: no freeloaders in the modern monarchy,” Johnson stated.
Maintaining Family Bonds Amid Change
Despite his firm stance, the King is said to remain affectionate toward his nieces and is “very keen” to ensure that their royal titles, as granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth II, remain protected.
Though Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, are not working royals, both continue to support charities and occasionally represent the family at official events.
Beatrice lives in the Cotswolds with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, their daughters Sienna, three, and Athena, ten months, as well as Mozzi’s son Christopher Woolf, nine. Eugenie splits her time between Portugal, where she lives with her husband Jack Brooksbank, and London, visiting the UK for family occasions with their sons August, four, and Ernest, two.
Professionally, Beatrice works as a private equity analyst, while Eugenie serves as a director at the contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth.
Ongoing Struggles with Family Legacy
Royal commentator Josh Rom told Sky News Australia’s Gabriella Power that the sisters have faced ongoing difficulties due to their parents’ association with the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
“Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, it must be so tough for them,” Rom said. “They are completely innocent; they’ve had absolutely nothing to do with it. They have no responsibility over their parents — they’re just trying to get on with their lives, their own careers … this must be deeply embarrassing for them.”
As King Charles continues to reshape the monarchy into a leaner and more accountable institution, Beatrice and Eugenie’s situation underscores the changing expectations for younger royals in a modern age.
