Prince William kisses Princess Beatrice at Peter Phillips wedding in show of royal unity
Beatrice and Eugenie have kept a low profile since their father stepped back from royal duties in 2019
King Charles and senior members of the British royal family gathered at a village in south-west England on Saturday to celebrate the wedding of Princess Anne's son, Peter Phillips, and nurse Harriet Sperling. Among those present were Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the daughters of Prince Andrew.
Their attendance was widely noted by observers, who interpreted the invitation as a deliberate signal from the royal family to those suggesting Andrew's daughters would be cast aside by the Windsors in the wake of their father's associations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
William's gesture draws attention
One photograph in particular attracted considerable interest — an image of Prince William greeting Princess Beatrice with a warm kiss on the cheek. Many onlookers speculated that the future king was making a pointed statement: that he holds no ill will towards Beatrice and Eugenie for the damage their father has caused to the royal family's reputation.
As the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at the Gloucestershire church to enthusiastic cheers from local wellwishers, William stepped forward to greet Beatrice with the affectionate gesture. Beatrice, dressed in a mint green floral frock, stood holding an umbrella beside her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi as rain fell steadily on the congregation.
Beatrice and Eugenie have largely remained out of the public eye since Prince Andrew withdrew from royal duties in 2019.
A sign of Charles consolidating control
Royal author Tom Sykes interpreted the moment as evidence that King Charles is "pulling power back."
"This is what Charles wanted to see yesterday," he told the Daily Mail.
"William was making it clear that he is a loyal servant and will ultimately go along with what his father wants, per the military foundational structures of the Royal Family."