Did Kate Middleton Sever Ties with Princess Beatrice & Eugenie?

As royal rifts continue dominating the news cycle, new reports suggest that Kate Middleton has officially “severed” ties with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. 

Beatrice and Eugenie, the daughters of former Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, have been in the spotlight recently due to renewed interest in their parents’ close connection with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

‘Kate has effectively severed what little relationship she had with Beatrice and Eugenie,” a royal source told RadarOnline. “There hasn’t been some dramatic confrontation or explosive falling-out – it has been much quieter than that. The contact has simply disappeared. Kate understands that everything she and William do now is viewed through the prism of them being the future king and queen.”

The insider alleged that Kate parted ways with Beatrice and Eugenie because she “cannot afford to be dragged into another scandal by association,” adding, “Beatrice and Eugenie have not been accused of wrongdoing, and nobody is suggesting otherwise, but the renewed scrutiny surrounding their parents has made an already complicated relationship even more difficult.”

Related: William & Kate Reportedly ‘Kept Their Distance’ From Beatrice & Eugenie at Royal Wedding Amid Claims William Wants Their ‘Heads on a Chopping Block’

“Kate and Eugenie were never particularly close, so there wasn’t an enormous friendship there to lose,” the source continued. “But there was previously a family connection and a degree of warmth. That’s largely gone. Kate’s priority is William, their children and protecting the future of the monarchy.”

Prince William also reportedly holds “extremely strong” negative feelings toward Andrew, which influenced Kate’s decision to keep her distance. “They believe there has to be a very clear line between the future of the monarchy and the controversies that have engulfed the York family,” the insider explained.

“It’s desperately difficult for Beatrice and Eugenie because they are Andrew and Sarah’s daughters, but they are not responsible for their parents’ actions,” said the source. “There is sympathy for the position they find themselves in, but sympathy doesn’t necessarily translate into closeness.”

These days, Kate is seemingly “conscious of appearances” and understands that “a photograph, an invitation or even a friendly public exchange can suddenly become a story about whether the Yorks are being rehabilitated. She doesn’t want to create that ambiguity.”

“Nobody expects a public declaration that ties have been cut,” the insider noted. “That’s simply not how the royal family operates. You see it instead through who is invited, who is around the Waleses, and who remains inside their trusted circle. Beatrice and Eugenie appear increasingly outside it.”