RICHARD EDEN: It’s time to promote Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to front-line royal duties. An ageing ‘Firm’ needs HELP!

It’s time that an ageing British Monarchy promoted Prince Andrew’s daughters to front-line royal duties, says Richard Eden. 

Because with His Majesty the King approaching his 75th birthday later this month, ‘the Firm’ is already over-stretched.

‘As I have watched the King and Queen carry out engagements in East Africa, what has struck me most is that they need help,’ writes Eden in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter.

King Charles, who turns 75 this month, addresses the state banquet in Nairobi on this week’s tour of Kenya

The King, 74, and Queen, 76, will not be in a position to make regular long-haul state visits 

‘The Firm’ needs help, says Richard Eden. The royals should promote Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to front-line duties

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh embarked on a six-month tour of the Commonwealth in 1953, the year of her Coronation. Charles is in no position to do the same. They are pictured at the door of the royal plane as they prepare to fly to Bermuda on the first leg

‘If we want the monarchy to continue to be as strong as it was under the late Queen, we need new recruits to “the Firm”.’ 

While it is no one’s fault, there is, he says, a straightforward shortage of youth and energy at the heart of the monarchy – a situation made significantly worse by Prince Harry’s unexpected departure to America. 

Eden points out that the King has already been the throne for 14 months but is yet to visit any of the 14 Commonwealth realms (aside from Britain) of which he is monarch.

Kenya, a republic, is the first Commonwealth country he has visited as King.

While Charles and Camilla are friendly and enthusiastic ambassadors for Britain overseas, it is clear that long-haul foreign visits will be few and far between, he writes. Camilla, 76, is no fan of flying.

‘After his mother, Queen Elizabeth, succeeded to the throne at the age of 25, she embarked, with Prince Philip, on her longest ever Commonwealth tour, lasting six months and covering 44,000 miles.

‘There will be nothing remotely on that scale for the King and Queen.

‘This means that other members of the Royal Family will be called upon to share the burden of foreign travel. Prince William, for example, is expected to visit Australia and New Zealand before his father goes Down Under. 

Her Majesty, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in Bermuda as they commence their tour of the Commonwealth

Led by William, Prince of Wales, the late Queen’s grandchildren pay their respects at her lying in state last year. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie stand directly behind Prince Harry. Behind them are Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex. Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips are at the back

Princess Beatrice, husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Eugenie leave St Paul’s Cathedral after the Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s during the 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London

‘King Charles should ask his sensible nieces, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, if they would like to become working royals.

‘I know they have a great sense of duty, so they would be likely to agree.

‘A Commonwealth realm that does not expect to see the new monarch in a hurry would, I’m sure, welcome a visit from one of his nieces.’

• To read more of Richard’s expert royal commentary, click here