November 2, 2025 • 8 mins
Princess Eugenie skipped a “highly fraught” Royal Lodge summit while Princess Beatrice left looking shaken, as the York sisters quietly reassess their roles amid their father’s crisis. Commentators say Christmas optics matter, but warn working-royal futures are doubtful; Jennie Bond asks whether the sisters now question “why both he and their mother continued an association with a convicted sex offender for so long,” and Ingrid Seward floats giving up titles to “make their own way.” Tessa Dunlop challenges royal wealth transparency as King Charles the Third moves to “clear this up… before William becomes King,” per Phil Dampier.
Plus: Brazil’s Earthshot catering row—local chef Saulo Jennings balks at a fish-free brief—sparks a wider debate over sustainability versus cultural tradition.
Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.
Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.
👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! Season 1 is fully available now for everyone. Season 2 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 2 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.
👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram or click the links to start your royal journey!
Plus: Brazil’s Earthshot catering row—local chef Saulo Jennings balks at a fish-free brief—sparks a wider debate over sustainability versus cultural tradition.
Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.
Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.
👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! Season 1 is fully available now for everyone. Season 2 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 2 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.
👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram or click the links to start your royal journey!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calorogus Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Pallace Intrigue. I'm
your host, Mark Francis. Princess Eugenie was notably absent from
a tense family summit held at Royal Lodge just days
after Prince Andrew's shock announcement that he would relinquish his
remaining royal titles and honors. The meeting was described by
(00:25):
one insider as a highly fraught affair. While Princess Beatrice
was seen leaving the thirty room mansion appearing visibly strained,
her sister Eugenie was nowhere in sight. A royal source
explained to The Daily Mail the Royal Lodge summit wasn't
a happier casion and the family wants a strong unit
is fractured. Sources say Beatrice has been particularly affected by
(00:48):
her father's ongoing scandals, reportedly telling friends she couldn't bring
herself to look at the Sunday papers and appeared absolutely devastated.
Beatrice and Eugenia said to be carefully considering how to
remain visible within the royal family. Royal commentator Richard fitz
Williams told gb News that while the sisters are keeping
a low profile. This Christmas could present a key moment
(01:10):
for them to show unity with the rest of the firm.
He said, it's entirely significant from a public relations point
of view. Of course, it's important to be seen with
the royal family at Christmas. Fitz Williams added that the
York sisters are happily married and have done a certain
amount of charitable work, but said it's unlikely they'll take
on more royal duties in the near term. They've got
(01:31):
to handle things, he explained, it's impossible for them, and
one does sympathize, but we don't know what's coming out
in all these files. Royal expert Jenny Bond tells The
Mirror that Beatrice and Eugenie must be questioning why both
he and their mother continued an association with a convicted
sex offender for so long. Beatrice must look back and
(01:52):
think how strange that they invited a man like that
to her eighteenth birthday party, even though at that stage
he had not actually been arrested. That happened eight days later.
They must wonder why their mother purportedly took them to
New York to meet Epstein when he came out of prison.
Sarah says she can't remember the visit, but there is
an email from Epstein which claims they came to celebrate
his release. Beatrice and Eugenie must be so conflicted. The
(02:16):
King has made it clear that they are still welcome
at family events such as Christmas. Charles and William have
always been fond of them and don't want to see
them suffer. But the girls obviously love their parents, and
it must be hard to witness the onslaught and public
humiliation of both of them. If they've got any sense,
they'll just get on with bringing up their young children
and try not to be drawn into this huge public row.
(02:36):
And it seems they are already trying to keep although profile.
They were reportedly due at a big charity event last
weekend but fail to show, and I don't blame them.
I have never thought that they were going to be
given official roles as working royals, but I think the
slatest crisis has finally closed the door on that possibility.
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward suggested that Beatrice and Eugenie might
consider formally stepping away from their royal identities. Moving up
(03:00):
their titles would give them freedom from their parents stop
them being tired with the same brush and be a
clear sign that they want to make their own way
in the world. I think people would hugely respect them
for it, and I think ultimately they would be happier.
Our Royal insided Deep Crown adds if Beatrice and Eugenie
truly abandoned ship, poor William will be left with a
(03:20):
slim down monarchy, so sland that you could practically boast
it through a letterbox. What we would witness would be
less a royal institution, a more regional theater troupe with
hereditary costumes, William and Catherine attempting to run a royal
repertory company, and a cast that could barely fill a
community center stage. Sophie and Edward bless them alike. The
understudies have been quietly waiting in the wings, while Mike
(03:41):
Tyndall provides the comic relief, occasionally stumbling through with rugby
player charm where royal protocol might otherwise demand grace. It's
a delicate chamber ensemble where each member is desperately trying
to play their part without causing a scandal, though one
suspects the sheet music as several pages conspicuously missing in
(04:01):
the independent tests and dunlop rites. It is rumored and
likely that Elizabeth I left Andrew very little. Why give
it directly to the second son when it can be
funneled tax free through the first. What you can be
pretty sure of is that the late Queen will have
future proofed Andrew's finances before she departed, But exactly how
she did this as anyone's guess. An Act of Parliament
prevents the publication of the monarch's will, not so for
(04:24):
lesser royals, but despite the best efforts of some journalists,
Prince Philip's will is under wraps for some ninety years.
As for King Charles, my father, richest British sovereign in
modern times, we were told he cut his brother off
financially last year, beyond the gleeful headlines, whereas the actual proof,
of course, one does not question the monarch. Convention dictates
that MPs can't even raise queries about his Majesty or
(04:47):
the royal family in Parliament. But there is a very
serious point here about transparency when it comes to the
royal family's wealth, private investments and other sources of income
that are kept from the public. William appeared on a
carefully curated Apple TV document recently to talk about change
under his stewardship when the time comes. But exactly what
sort of change do we really think he is going
(05:09):
to usher? In? An error of transparency, hack away at
the thickest of privilege and opacity that the Royals have
for so long enjoyed. Of course he isn't. William is
talking of superficial optics, the sort our press are obsessed with,
for example, whether Andrew is allowed into Sandry Hand this Christmas,
or if there will be twelve Royals not ten on
the Buckingham Bellas balcony for trooping. Despite all the stories
(05:32):
about how ruthless King William will be. Royal author Phil
Dampia suggests why Charles has been active trying to clean
up Andrew Gate recently. He explains, I think the main
priority will have been to try and clear this up
once and for all and draw a line under it
before William becomes king, so that he doesn't have to
deal with it. They don't like loose ends. That's an
interesting comment in the shadow of rumors that Charles may
(05:54):
be more sick than the firm. Let's on more powers
in just a moment. When Brazilian chief Salo Jennings was
told he'd be cooking for an heir to the British throne,
he knew exactly what to serve. The Amazon's star ingredient,
the mighty pieruku, a freshwater fish so prized it's often
(06:16):
called the cod of the Rainforest. But there was one
small problem. Prince William's Earthshot Prize event in Rio, where
Jennings had been invited to cata for seven hundred guests,
required a one hundred percent vegan menu. At first, Jennings
thought he had misheard. It's like asking iron maiden to
play jazz. He said, it was a lack of respect
for local cuisine, for our culinary tradition. When he was
(06:38):
told no fish in any kind could appear on the menu,
Jennings bought. The Amazon's food identity, he argued, is tied
to what the forest and rivers provide, and that includes fish.
We eat whatever the forests give us, whatever the rivers
give us, he said. Some days we eat fish, other
days we eat nuts and a sci that's also sustainable.
(06:59):
After much persuasion from the museum hosting the event, Jennings
created a plant based menu inspired by cassava, jamboo leaves
and brazil nuts, but by then talks had fallen the
part he is no longer catering the November fifth event.
I have nothing against vegans or British people, Jennings said,
but I don't want to abandon my culinary mission. His
stance has sparked debate across Brazil, where many see the
(07:22):
earth Shots team's decision as a slight to the Amazon's
culture and a misunderstanding of what sustainable really means. Jennings
has previously cooked for the British Embassy, even serving fish
and chips made with peruku during King Charles coronation celebrations
without issue. A person close to the Earth Shot Prize
said Prince William had no involvement in the menu, and
(07:42):
clarified the event had asked for vegetarian not vegan food,
a policy consistent with its environmental mission. They added that
Jennings was ultimately not chosen due to budget concerns. Still,
the dustup is exposed a broad attention in the global
climate conversation how to balance sustainability with respect for local traditions.
The Piruku, once near extinction, has become a symbol of
(08:05):
successful conservation thanks to a regulated fishing and community led management. Jennings,
who serves as a UN Gastronomy Ambassador, will soon cook
for the Norwegian and Chinese delegations at the upcoming Climate Summit,
and at President Louis Nasio Lola da Silva's request, he'll
also cater a dinner for world leaders and yes, he
(08:25):
confirmed with a smile, with all due respect, there will
be fish and they have it. In fact. The email
us addresses the Palace Intrigue at a gmail, a dot com.
Please follow us on Spotify, Apple or the app of
your choice and leave us a nice review. If you're
enjoying the show, I'm Mike Francis my thanks to John
McDermott's Palace Intrigue in Good Times
Calorogus Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Pallace Intrigue. I'm
your host, Mark Francis. Princess Eugenie was notably absent from
a tense family summit held at Royal Lodge just days
after Prince Andrew's shock announcement that he would relinquish his
remaining royal titles and honors. The meeting was described by
(00:25):
one insider as a highly fraught affair. While Princess Beatrice
was seen leaving the thirty room mansion appearing visibly strained,
her sister Eugenie was nowhere in sight. A royal source
explained to The Daily Mail the Royal Lodge summit wasn't
a happier casion and the family wants a strong unit
is fractured. Sources say Beatrice has been particularly affected by
(00:48):
her father's ongoing scandals, reportedly telling friends she couldn't bring
herself to look at the Sunday papers and appeared absolutely devastated.
Beatrice and Eugenia said to be carefully considering how to
remain visible within the royal family. Royal commentator Richard fitz
Williams told gb News that while the sisters are keeping
a low profile. This Christmas could present a key moment
(01:10):
for them to show unity with the rest of the firm.
He said, it's entirely significant from a public relations point
of view. Of course, it's important to be seen with
the royal family at Christmas. Fitz Williams added that the
York sisters are happily married and have done a certain
amount of charitable work, but said it's unlikely they'll take
on more royal duties in the near term. They've got
(01:31):
to handle things, he explained, it's impossible for them, and
one does sympathize, but we don't know what's coming out
in all these files. Royal expert Jenny Bond tells The
Mirror that Beatrice and Eugenie must be questioning why both
he and their mother continued an association with a convicted
sex offender for so long. Beatrice must look back and
(01:52):
think how strange that they invited a man like that
to her eighteenth birthday party, even though at that stage
he had not actually been arrested. That happened eight days later.
They must wonder why their mother purportedly took them to
New York to meet Epstein when he came out of prison.
Sarah says she can't remember the visit, but there is
an email from Epstein which claims they came to celebrate
his release. Beatrice and Eugenie must be so conflicted. The
(02:16):
King has made it clear that they are still welcome
at family events such as Christmas. Charles and William have
always been fond of them and don't want to see
them suffer. But the girls obviously love their parents, and
it must be hard to witness the onslaught and public
humiliation of both of them. If they've got any sense,
they'll just get on with bringing up their young children
and try not to be drawn into this huge public row.
(02:36):
And it seems they are already trying to keep although profile.
They were reportedly due at a big charity event last
weekend but fail to show, and I don't blame them.
I have never thought that they were going to be
given official roles as working royals, but I think the
slatest crisis has finally closed the door on that possibility.
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward suggested that Beatrice and Eugenie might
consider formally stepping away from their royal identities. Moving up
(03:00):
their titles would give them freedom from their parents stop
them being tired with the same brush and be a
clear sign that they want to make their own way
in the world. I think people would hugely respect them
for it, and I think ultimately they would be happier.
Our Royal insided Deep Crown adds if Beatrice and Eugenie
truly abandoned ship, poor William will be left with a
(03:20):
slim down monarchy, so sland that you could practically boast
it through a letterbox. What we would witness would be
less a royal institution, a more regional theater troupe with
hereditary costumes, William and Catherine attempting to run a royal
repertory company, and a cast that could barely fill a
community center stage. Sophie and Edward bless them alike. The
understudies have been quietly waiting in the wings, while Mike
(03:41):
Tyndall provides the comic relief, occasionally stumbling through with rugby
player charm where royal protocol might otherwise demand grace. It's
a delicate chamber ensemble where each member is desperately trying
to play their part without causing a scandal, though one
suspects the sheet music as several pages conspicuously missing in
(04:01):
the independent tests and dunlop rites. It is rumored and
likely that Elizabeth I left Andrew very little. Why give
it directly to the second son when it can be
funneled tax free through the first. What you can be
pretty sure of is that the late Queen will have
future proofed Andrew's finances before she departed, But exactly how
she did this as anyone's guess. An Act of Parliament
prevents the publication of the monarch's will, not so for
(04:24):
lesser royals, but despite the best efforts of some journalists,
Prince Philip's will is under wraps for some ninety years.
As for King Charles, my father, richest British sovereign in
modern times, we were told he cut his brother off
financially last year, beyond the gleeful headlines, whereas the actual proof,
of course, one does not question the monarch. Convention dictates
that MPs can't even raise queries about his Majesty or
(04:47):
the royal family in Parliament. But there is a very
serious point here about transparency when it comes to the
royal family's wealth, private investments and other sources of income
that are kept from the public. William appeared on a
carefully curated Apple TV document recently to talk about change
under his stewardship when the time comes. But exactly what
sort of change do we really think he is going
(05:09):
to usher? In? An error of transparency, hack away at
the thickest of privilege and opacity that the Royals have
for so long enjoyed. Of course he isn't. William is
talking of superficial optics, the sort our press are obsessed with,
for example, whether Andrew is allowed into Sandry Hand this Christmas,
or if there will be twelve Royals not ten on
the Buckingham Bellas balcony for trooping. Despite all the stories
(05:32):
about how ruthless King William will be. Royal author Phil
Dampia suggests why Charles has been active trying to clean
up Andrew Gate recently. He explains, I think the main
priority will have been to try and clear this up
once and for all and draw a line under it
before William becomes king, so that he doesn't have to
deal with it. They don't like loose ends. That's an
interesting comment in the shadow of rumors that Charles may
(05:54):
be more sick than the firm. Let's on more powers
in just a moment. When Brazilian chief Salo Jennings was
told he'd be cooking for an heir to the British throne,
he knew exactly what to serve. The Amazon's star ingredient,
the mighty pieruku, a freshwater fish so prized it's often
(06:16):
called the cod of the Rainforest. But there was one
small problem. Prince William's Earthshot Prize event in Rio, where
Jennings had been invited to cata for seven hundred guests,
required a one hundred percent vegan menu. At first, Jennings
thought he had misheard. It's like asking iron maiden to
play jazz. He said, it was a lack of respect
for local cuisine, for our culinary tradition. When he was
(06:38):
told no fish in any kind could appear on the menu,
Jennings bought. The Amazon's food identity, he argued, is tied
to what the forest and rivers provide, and that includes fish.
We eat whatever the forests give us, whatever the rivers
give us, he said. Some days we eat fish, other
days we eat nuts and a sci that's also sustainable.
(06:59):
After much persuasion from the museum hosting the event, Jennings
created a plant based menu inspired by cassava, jamboo leaves
and brazil nuts, but by then talks had fallen the
part he is no longer catering the November fifth event.
I have nothing against vegans or British people, Jennings said,
but I don't want to abandon my culinary mission. His
stance has sparked debate across Brazil, where many see the
(07:22):
earth Shots team's decision as a slight to the Amazon's
culture and a misunderstanding of what sustainable really means. Jennings
has previously cooked for the British Embassy, even serving fish
and chips made with peruku during King Charles coronation celebrations
without issue. A person close to the Earth Shot Prize
said Prince William had no involvement in the menu, and
(07:42):
clarified the event had asked for vegetarian not vegan food,
a policy consistent with its environmental mission. They added that
Jennings was ultimately not chosen due to budget concerns. Still,
the dustup is exposed a broad attention in the global
climate conversation how to balance sustainability with respect for local traditions.
The Piruku, once near extinction, has become a symbol of
(08:05):
successful conservation thanks to a regulated fishing and community led management. Jennings,
who serves as a UN Gastronomy Ambassador, will soon cook
for the Norwegian and Chinese delegations at the upcoming Climate Summit,
and at President Louis Nasio Lola da Silva's request, he'll
also cater a dinner for world leaders and yes, he
(08:25):
confirmed with a smile, with all due respect, there will
be fish and they have it. In fact. The email
us addresses the Palace Intrigue at a gmail, a dot com.
Please follow us on Spotify, Apple or the app of
your choice and leave us a nice review. If you're
enjoying the show, I'm Mike Francis my thanks to John
McDermott's Palace Intrigue in Good Times
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