Despite attending the Princess of Wales’s carol service at Westminster Abbey on several ocassions in the past, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie did not attend this year
17:39, 05 Dec 2025Updated 21:15, 05 Dec 2025
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie (Image: Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images)
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have skipped the Princess of Wales’ annual Christmas Carol Concert as the fallout of the scandal surrouding their disgraced father Andrew continues. The daughters of Andrew and Fergie have been regular attendees at Kate’s Christmas Carol service over the years – with Beatrice attending last year with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Eugenie enjoying the service in 2023 with her husband Jack Brooksbank.
Tonight, a whole host of royals supported Kate at her big event, including her husband Prince William, and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. But Beatrice and Eugenie and their families were noticeably absent. It is reported that they were invited to the event and were touched with their invitations, however, family committments meant both were unable to attend.
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The royals at the service tonight – Beatrice and Eugenie weren’t among them(Image: Getty Images)
Taking to Instagram, Eugenie said on her stories: ‘Wish Bea and I could have been celebrating tonight with our family. Wishing @princeandprincessofwales such a special evening at her incredible carol service. What an amazing message of love and hope.'”
It’s believed Beatrice and Eugenie chose not to attend because there would be too much attention on them, after their father, Andrew’s, ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Their father, Andrew was stripped of his titles several weeks ago following revelations about his association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein andis being forced out of his Royal Lodge home. And even though Beatrice and Eugenie’s mother has also lost her Duchess of York title, the two princesses have been unaffected by any changes. It has been reported that the King is close to his nieces and wants to keep them in the royal fold.
Other royals joining the pair at the service were the Duchess of Edinburgh, Mike and Zara Tindall and extended members of the family including Lord Frederick Windsor and his wife Sophie Winkleman.
They are among the 1,6000 guests, which have come together for the service, which will celebrate love in all of its forms. In a letter that will be available to all guests, the princess has praised community stalwarts invited to the service, telling them they are making an “extraordinary difference to the lives of others”.
She also extols the virtues of the Christmas period that reminds us “how deeply our lives are woven together”, adding that despite life feeling “fragmented or uncertain” at times, the festive season “invites us to remember the power of reaching out to one another”.
Princess Beatrice at the service last year(Image: Getty Images)
For the first time at the concert, guests have been joined by a live illustrator, who is sketching snapshots of the atmosphere inside the Abbey in real time.
Acknowledging the importance of nature as a source of connection in our lives, plantsman and horticulturist Jamie Butterworth has created a natural, festive environment outside of the Abbey. His designs see a collection of stunning British woodland trees in their natural winter state, interwoven with fruits, berries and Christmas trees.
The living plants and trees come from Form Plants in Weybridge and are returning there after the service. In addition, The Royal Horticultural Society and florist Simon Lycett has donated wreaths for display inside Westminster Abbey.
Eugenie and Jack at the service in 2022(Image: Getty Images)
The wreaths have been made in partnership with RHS Ambassadors and schoolchildren including Dame Mary Berry and Arit Anderson, as well as friends of the RHS including comedian Tom Allen and presenter Angelica Bell.
There is also a ‘Connection Tree’ supported by Hobbycraft, at which guests will be able to add their own named loop onto a paper chain adorning the tree, symbolising the power of togetherness and the importance of moments of connection with one another.
On arrival at the Abbey, guests were welcomed with music by eight young performers aged between 13 and 18 from Future Talent, a charity co-founded by the Late Duchess of Kent to support musically gifted children from low-income backgrounds.
The event will be broadcast as part of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, a special programme airing on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve with a repeat showing on Christmas Day morning.
The broadcast, co-produced by BBC Studios Events and The Royal Foundation, will feature two special films which bring to life the stories of people and organisations who have shown love, joy and compassion to others in their times of need.
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