Overview
- - Multiple outlets report the York sisters have been told they will not join the official royal contingent at Royal Ascot, including the Royal Box and carriage procession, with sources saying the pair feel blindsided and are "bitterly disappointed."
- - An insider claim that Prince William and Catherine would skip Ascot if any York family members attend was reported, though Kensington Palace declined comment and another source said Ascot arrangements were not currently being discussed.
- - Counter-claims from sources quoted by Us Weekly and Page Six say the sisters were not planning to attend Ascot this year, deny any formal ban, and note they have scaled back public plans and kept low profiles after their father's arrest.
- - Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released under investigation, with Buckingham Palace pledging full cooperation with authorities.
- - Government discussions about possibly removing Andrew from the line of succession have been reported as ongoing, and a family friend told People that Beatrice and Eugenie want to retain their royal status, which they view as central to their identities.