It's the first photo of Eugenie of York in months. Her location was unknown ever since her father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and stripped of his official titles. She has reappeared in the wedding of a close friend in Sicily.
A surprise appearance in Palermo
© Getty ImagesPrincess Eugenie attended the wedding of businessman Charles Forte and Georgie Wright, held this past Saturday at the Cathedral of Monreale on the outskirts of Palermo. In photos shared by actress and model Jazzy de Liser, Eugenie is spotted in the background, wearing a black dress and talking to some of the guests. It is unknown whether she attended the wedding with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, or her sister, Beatrice of York.
Forte is the son of businessman and hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, who owns Villa Igiea, where the wedding reception was hosted. Eugenie has been a friend of the family for years. She also attended the wedding of his daughter Irene Forte, hosted in Italy in 2021.
© Jazzy de LisserThe York sisters are navigating uncharted territory
The last time Eugenie of York was seen publicly was at the traditional Christmas mass in Sandringham, alongside members of the royal family. By then, her father had already been stripped of his titles and honors, but Eugenie and Beatrice had retained a balance between loyalty to their parents and their commitment to the Crown. The reopening of the Jeffrey Epstein case changed everything for them, with Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's names appearing in the released emails and documents.
© WireImageThe sisters have opted to stay out of public life since skipping events they had previously attended regularly, including Easter mass, the Royal Ascot, and Queen Elizabeth II's recent centenary celebrations. This marks a significant departure from the role Eugenie and Beatrice had long played within the institution. While both have professional careers of their own, the pair had maintained a visible presence throughout Queen Elizabeth's and King Charles' reigns.
What comes next for the York sisters
Their future within the Royal Family remains uncertain. Everything suggests that once Prince William inherits the throne from his father, Eugenie and Beatrice will step back from the institution, allowing the slate to be cleared of the scandals that have long plagued them.
William is expected to narrow his focus on his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and their children, making them the center of his support circle.
© Getty Images
