Princess Beatrice has been left "absolutely devastated" following the latest controversy surrounding her father, Prince Andrew. The 37-year-old was seen looking distraught as she left Royal Lodge shortly after Andrew announced he would step back from using his royal titles and honours. This decision comes amid a wave of damaging claims about the prince, including allegations that he has not paid rent on Royal Lodge for the past 22 years.

Sources close to the royal family have indicated that the situation has taken a significant emotional toll on Beatrice. One insider revealed, "She was on the phone saying she couldn't bring herself to look at the Sunday papers. She looked absolutely devastated."

The controversy has also resurfaced past incidents involving Beatrice and her sister Eugenie. In 2009, when Beatrice was 20 and Eugenie was 19, they accompanied their mother, Sarah Ferguson, to meet convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein shortly after his release from prison. This revelation has added to the scrutiny surrounding the family.

In the midst of the current scandal, it has been reported that Prince Andrew requested his police protection officer to investigate allegations regarding Virginia Giuffre's criminal background. The 65-year-old prince has consistently denied all accusations against him.

The ongoing situation places both Beatrice and Eugenie, now mothers themselves, in a difficult position. Royal commentator Ingrid Seward has suggested that the sisters might consider relinquishing their princess titles to distance themselves from their father's controversies. She stated, "Giving up their titles would give them freedom from their parents, stop them being tarred with the same brush and be a clear sign that they want to make their own way in the world. I think people would hugely respect them for it and, I think, ultimately, they would be happier."

Despite the challenges, Beatrice and Eugenie have been involved in their parents' commercial activities from a young age. Beatrice was just an infant when her parents earned £250,000 for a feature in Hello! magazine that included photographs of her in the bath. Currently, neither sister receives taxpayer funding from the Sovereign Grant, which supports the monarchy's official duties. They both manage private careers alongside family commitments and charitable work.

While neither Beatrice nor Eugenie serves as full-time working royals, their titles are believed to provide them with significant advantages in the business world. Last April, they were featured on the cover of Hello! magazine, described as the "Royal Family's Secret Weapon." Sarah Ferguson has expressed pride in her daughters, stating, "They miss their grandmother but learned so much from the late Queen – humility and goodness with compassion and strength. They are brave and bold and stand like giant oaks in the wind and don't break."

As the situation continues to unfold, the impact on Beatrice and Eugenie remains a point of concern for royal observers.