Andrew’s Arrest Could Be Catalyst for Beatrice & Eugenie’s Huge ‘Inheritance Issue’ Amid Reports He Funded Their ‘Ridiculously Excessive’ Lifestyle
Andrew’s recent arrest might just be the tip of the iceberg of consequences for the former prince. And those consequences will certainly affect those closest to him, especially his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and his two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
But what does this mean for them? Will they retain their titles as princesses? What will they inherit from Prince Andrew after his death? Has that answer changed from before he was arrested? Here’s what we know.
Related: Here’s what each royal inherited from Queen Elizabeth
Who Will Inherit Prince Andrew’s Money After His Arrest?
His two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, stand to inherit Andrew’s assets, but they might have a hard time getting Royal Lodge, even with Andrew’s 75-year lease.
Property expert Terry Fisher told Reach PLC: “Andrew’s long lease, reportedly lasting 75 years, shows that he’s invested significantly in Royal Lodge, giving him strong occupancy rights. He might hope to pass the property on to his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, once he can no longer reside there.”
But there’s a problem. “Royal leases often include restrictions around succession, especially for properties intended to serve working royals. Such leases aren’t always straightforward inheritance-wise; transferring the lease to non-working members of the family could likely require the Crown Estate’s approval, especially under King Charles, who might prioritise other uses for royal properties.”
“In other words, while Andrew has substantial rights under the lease, he may still face limitations in passing it on to family without special permissions.”
And that was before he was even evicted from the property in the first place. So the inheritance issue remains.
Reports about Beatrice and Eugenie’s possible inheritance come after questions about Beatrice’s lifestyle and her actual earnings. The Princess was known for her constant luxury holidays in her 20s, and with the Epstein files proving the close relationship both her parents had to convicted sex offender Epstein, questions are now being asked about who paid for her expenses back then.
“Her salary at Sony at the time was £19,500, which would not go far, while her lifestyle was obviously ridiculously excessive,” said royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, per The Daily Mail.
“It now seems clear that their father’s dodgy business deals when Special Trade Envoy and their mother’s alleged financial dependence on Jeffrey Epstein, could have been pivotal to her life of luxury,” he added.
“Beatrice was able to live it up,” Fitzwilliams said, “but now we wonder at whose expense?”
These days, Beatrice is done partying. She married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020. The two share two daughters, Sienna, 4, and Athena, 1. Mapelli Mozzi also has a 9-year-old son, Christopher Woolf, from a previous relationship. It’s her kids that have some people saying she’ll be putting some distance between her family and her father.
According to People, “They’re [Beatrice and Eugenie] trying to stay away from it. They have young children, and this is their grandfather — their focus is on protecting their own children from this.”
The former prince Andrew was arrested on February 19 and spent about 11 hours being questioned before he was released. Reports indicate he is being investigated for misconduct in public office.
