Inside Princess Beatrice’s 38th birthday as she shuns BOTH parents and the truth behind ‘distance’ in her marriage

SHE has beautiful homes in the Cotswolds and London, a handsome Italian husband and two gorgeous young daughters, but as Princess Beatrice celebrates her 38th birthday today it is unlikely to be the happiest of occasions. The daughter of disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson has spent the year navigating what can only be described as a nightmare, after being dragged into the spotlight by the horrifying revelations surrounding her father’s friendship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Princess Beatrice is celebrating her 38th birthday today Credit: PA Beatrice will not be enjoying the day with her parents – the former Duke and Duchess of York Credit: PA Instead of popping champagne corks and the lavish parties that once defined the House of York’s celebrations, this year will be more subdued. Most striking of all, I’m told, is that it will not involve her mother and father who are practically in hiding, with the former Prince Andrew staying at Wood Farm in Sandringham and Fergie thought to be in Austria. A royal insider said: “Don’t expect any big celebrations today. It is going to be a remarkably low-key, almost gloomy birthday this year. “In the past, Beatrice loved a grand celebration. She was the life and soul of the party. But how can you celebrate when your family name is dragged through the mud on a daily basis? “She has been deeply distressed at times. There will be no fanfare, just a small gathering including her devoted husband Edoardo and the children. It’s a deeply sad state of affairs.” Her parents were stripped of their Duke and Duchess of York titles last year, after The Sun on Sunday revealed the shamed Andrew had lied when he claimed he had cut off all contact from Epstein. But the spotlight also turned on their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie and what relationships they had with Epstein, and questions were raised about the source of their wealth. Further scrutiny came in the explosive book Entitled: The Rise And Fall Of The House Of York, its author Andrew Lownie has said of today’s celebrations: “Much has changed for the York family since Beatrice’s last birthday. “Her father remains under, in effect, house arrest in Norfolk with the possibility of being charged with sharing confidential information, her mother probably still in hiding abroad.” “The publication of my book Entitled and Virginia Giuffre’s memoir Nobody’s Girl, the release of damning material about the family from Jeffrey Epstein’s papers, the de-princing of her father and his eviction from Royal Lodge and questions raised over the daughters’ subsidised accommodation at St James’s Palace and Kensington Palace though not working royals.” Beatrice’s low-key celebrations are in stark contrast with her glorious past. When Beatrice turned 18, she was treated to a glamorous, no-expense-spared masquerade ball at Windsor Castle. The guest list of her past – which horrifyingly included Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell – serves only as a reminder of the catastrophic misjudgments made by her father. The ghosts of the Duke of York’s past continue to haunt his eldest daughter’s present. Adding to the immense heartache of her 38th birthday is the physical absence of her parents. In years gone by, Sarah Ferguson, ever the fiercely protective, outspoken lioness of the York clan, would have been front and centre, orchestrating a joyous family gathering and rallying the troops. But not today. Fergie is currently abroad, revealed by The Sun that she was keeping low in an Alpine chalet, while the latest waves of scandal wash over the family. Beatrice’s relationship with her husband Edo, as he is known, has also come under scrutiny Credit: Getty Her beloved sister Eugenie has just given birth to her third child Credit: Getty Meanwhile, the disgraced Duke of York remains out of sight, effectively serving a self-imposed exile at Sandringham. A royal insider said: “You can only imagine how Beatrice must be feeling. It must be incredibly isolating not seeing her parents right now. “Not having her mother or father around on her birthday is a bitter pill to swallow. Andrew’s public presence is simply too toxic, and Sarah being out of the country means Beatrice is left to face this milestone feeling rather abandoned.” Yet, amid the wreckage of the York family’s reputation, there is one unbreakable bond for the beleaguered Princess and that is her relationship with her younger sister, Princess Eugenie. Sources say the bond between the royal sisters is stronger and closer than ever before. As the only two people on earth who truly understand the unique and tortuous reality of being Andrew and Fergie’s daughters. Beatrice has watched her family’s reputation crumble due to her father Andrew Credit: Getty Edo fled to Florida when the scandal surrounding Andrew reached fever pitch Credit: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Dave Be “Eugenie has been Beatrice’s rock through this darkest of years,” my royal insider explains. “They are speaking multiple times a day. When Beatrice feels overwhelmed by the scale of the public vitriol directed at their father, it is Eugenie who she turns to. “They have formed an impenetrable united front. Eugenie is determined to make sure her sister feels loved today, and will no doubt be on the other end of the phone to help put a smile on her face.” Eugenie, 36, welcomed her third child, a daughter, on Monday with her husband Jack Brooksbank by her side. She gave birth in a hospital in Portugal, but it is not known if she has since returned to the UK. But what is more certain is that sister Princess Beatrice will undoubtedly be at the front of the queue when it comes to meeting her new niece. Her husband Edorado Mapelli Mozzie, who she married in 2020 at the Royal Chapel, Windsor, was quick to show his support by sharing an Instagram comment of three pink hearts and an angel baby emoji on Eugenie’s Instagram announcement. Beatrice’s relationship with her husband Edo, as he is known, has also come under scrutiny with the rumour mill going into overdrive about supposed distance between the pair. Matters weren’t helped when Edo fled to Florida when the scandal reached fever pitch, with critics accusing him of concentrating on his business ventures rather than supporting his wife. With American tabloids reporting they were on the verge of a split. But in recent months the pair have been photographed more and more putting on a united front, something which I’m told is a deliberate attempt to quash those rumours. So much so that Edo gave a rare public interview at an event hosted by The Gentleman Journal where he repeatedly gushed about his family. Princess Beatrice’s pals say that the ultimate tragedy of the past year is that she has done nothing wrong. She is a devoted mother to young Sienna and Athena, a loving, supportive stepmother to Wolfie, and a dedicated patron of numerous charities. Yet, despite her impeccable personal conduct, she finds herself struggling to navigate a royal role that has been fundamentally poisoned by association. “Every time she steps out for a public engagement, she must be concerned about the whispers,” said a royal insider. “Every time she reads the news, she is confronted by the gruesome details of her father’s disastrous associations. The House of Windsor has streamlined its operation, and the Yorks princesses have been brutally, but perhaps necessarily, frozen out.” “She is a Princess without a portfolio, a daughter without her parents by her side, and a royal desperately trying to protect her own young family from the fallout of a scandal she had no part in making.” For a woman who grew up believing she would be a central, respected pillar of the modern Monarchy, the reality of her birthday is heartbreaking. As she blows out her 38 candles today, Beatrice’s wish will undoubtedly be that her parent’s scandals finally come to an end. But in the unforgiving world of royal intrigue, that may be the one gift no one can give her.