Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie unlikely to fill in for senior members of the royal family

Royal Expert Duncan Larcombe reveals all in his monthly column for woman&home

Princess Beatrice Windsor and Princess Eugenie Windsor attend The State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III.
(Image credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
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Royal expert Duncan Larcombe discusses all things royal in his column for woman&home magazine, The Royal Report. 

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have long been tipped to fill in for senior members of the family. Prince Andrew’s daughters are popular and appeal to younger generations of royal fans.

However, I can reveal this is unlikely to happen because of the huge costs involved. The added bills for increased official protection, creating an office and staff and transport would likely push £5m.

HRH Princess Eugenie of York (L) and HRH Princess Beatrice of York at the Animal Ball Art Show Private Viewing, presented by Elephant Family on May 22, 2019 in London, England.

(Image credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Animal Ball)

THE WIVES OF WINDSOR – THE REAL POWER BEHIND THE NEW MONARCHY

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall seen at Trooping The Colour on June 02, 2022 in London, England. Trooping The Colour, also known as The Queen's Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony performed by regiments of the British Army that has taken place since the mid-17th century. It marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign. This year, from June 2 to June 5, 2022, there is the added celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February 1952.

(Image credit: Neil Mockford/GC Images/Getty Images)

The death of Queen Elizabeth II robbed the world of one of its most influential women. Someone who disarmed the establishment and redefined the old assumptions that major decisions were the preserve only of powerful men. 

But far from this legacy coming to an end, there are already strong signs the real power behind the monarchy remains firmly in female hands. 

First, there’s Camilla – the once-hated mistress now elevated to Queen Consort. A woman who, quite frankly, has enjoyed a mesmerizing influence on the man who now rules as king. From the moment they first met at a polo match in 1970, Charles has been spellbound by her.

Throughout 2023 and beyond, the Monarch will have the only real love of his life firmly by his side. We already know Charles and Camilla come as a pair, and he makes few decisions without bouncing them off her first. 

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at The Cenotaph on November 11, 2018 in London, England. The armistice ending the First World War between the Allies and Germany was signed at Compiègne, France on eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month - 11am on the 11th November 1918. This day is commemorated as Remembrance Day with special attention being paid for this year's centenary.

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Camilla’s more down-to-earth, her ‘one of the people’ popularity adds a desperately needed lighter side to Charles’s reign. She will play a key role in all the major decisions Charles is likely to take both as leader and as head of the family itself. 

Meanwhile, Kate has now been elevated to the jewel in the crown of the new regime. She provides the glamour, the sparkle and the mystery behind the curtain. For the past 18 years, the now Princess of Wales has been an ever-present feature of the family. 

Queen Elizabeth II (C) considers cutting a cake with a sword, lent to her by The Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Edward Bolitho, to celebrate of The Big Lunch initiative at The Eden Project during the G7 Summit on June 11, 2021 in St Austell, Cornwall, England. UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, hosts leaders from the USA, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Canada at the G7 Summit. This year the UK has invited India, South Africa, and South Korea to attend the Leaders' Summit as guest countries as well as the EU.

(Image credit: Oli Scarff - WPA Pool / Getty Images)

Respected and liked by the Queen, trusted by Charles and Camilla, and popular with just about every member of the ‘firm’, she really does have the world at her feet. 

Together the Wives of Windsor are a powerful force in their own right. Their influence over this new chapter in Royal history will ensure the Queen’s legacy of women in power continues.

Duncan Larcombe
Duncan Larcombe
Royal expert and woman&home's columnist

Duncan Larcombe is an award-winning journalist and former Royal Editor of The Sun. As well as this prestigious role, he also worked as the paper’s Defence Editor, which saw him reporting from the front line with British and American troops in Afghanistan.

Throughout his career, Duncan has become a leading expert on the Royal Family, in particular Prince Harry, having written the best-selling biography Prince Harry: The Inside Story.

On top of his successful career as a writer, Duncan is regarded as a leading royal commentator and is a regular fixture with US TV network, ABC.