Princesses Beatrice Eugenie Skip London Gala After Prince Andrew Surrenders Titles

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie chose not to attend the British Museum's inaugural Pink Ball in London, an event aiming to rival New York's Met Gala, shortly after their father, Prince Andrew, announced he would no longer use his royal titles amid ongoing scandals related to his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Despite being on the guest list, their absence was notable amid the high-profile event attended by celebrities and prominent figures. Prince Andrew, who stepped down as the Duke of York and resigned from the Order of the Garter, emphasized in a statement that his decision was to avoid distracting from the royal family's work, though he continued to deny allegations against him. The princesses retain their titles by birthright, even as public scrutiny surrounding their family intensifies. The Pink Ball, themed around the British Museum's exhibition on Ancient India, was the first in a new series of events designed to elevate London's social calendar. The reasons for Beatrice and Eugenie's withdrawal from the event remain unconfirmed but are seen as a response to their father's relinquishment of titles and the resulting media attention.