Royal butler says ‘this is what Princess Eugenie’s really like’ amid York family scandals

Princess Eugenie and her sister Princess Beatrice are reportedly keen to take on a more prominent role within the royal family, but are currently dealing with the fallout from their father’s association with Jeffrey Epstein

Young royals Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are enduring a difficult period at the moment, with both of their parents embroiled in controversy due to their connections with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

It represents a massive blow for the princesses, who had reportedly been aspiring to advance towards a more significant position within the Royal family.

As Eugenie marks the anniversary of her marriage to marketing boss Jack Brooksbank this weekend, a former Royal butler has offered a public glimpse into what the 35 year old princess is genuinely like in private.

From 2004 to 2011, Grant Harrold served as a butler for King Charles III, who was then Prince of Wales.

He claims his close understanding of the Royal household has provided him with deep insight into the princess’s character, which he characterises as “very kind and gentle.”

Grant reveals: “Princess Eugenie and her sister Beatrice were always really nice. Whenever I dealt with them they were very sweet and gentle. Always said their ‘please and thank yous’ and were very polite.”

Grant, speaking on behalf of OLBG, continued: “They were extremely lovely young women, and were much loved members of the Royal Family.”

He described how devoted the King is to his niece, who wed on October 12 seven years ago, and reckons Charles will stay determined to keep her included in personal family occasions. Grant adds: “The King is very fond of his nieces, and gets on with both of them really well. He will encourage them to come to family events, he will want them to be included in those private family celebrations.”

The princess celebrates her seventh wedding anniversary this weekend(Image: Getty)

Eugenie and her partner reside at Ivy Cottage within Kensington Palace’s grounds, whilst her elder sibling Beatrice shares a £3.5million Cotswolds mansion with her husband, property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Although the two princesses maintain a tight relationship with their parents, Eugenie recently emphasised to Vogue magazine that they possess distinct individual personas: “We want to show people who we are: working, young, royal women… not afraid of putting ourselves out there,” she said.

However, one palace source offered a contrasting perspective, characterising the siblings as products of privileged, sheltered childhoods.

The insider revealed to the Daily Mail: “Beatrice and Eugenie grew up in this rarefied world in which there was always someone to do everything for you.

“That was illustrated when Beatrice had her BMW stolen in 2009 after leaving it unlocked with the car keys in the ignition. I think she was used to her police protection officer looking after such things.

“Whether you believe it was their decision [to not be working royals] or it was they and their father putting a brave face on things, he and they said they wanted careers instead of a life of ribbon-cutting. Andrew maintained it was their decision.”