Duties and Roles of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie 2: Discussion Sep 2022 -

[duke of poliganc]

It was reported in 1992, after the first meeting of the now defunct Way Ahead Group meeting that Charles wanted a slimmed down royal family, including the idea that Charles wanted to strip the York princesses of their HRH Princess styles - limiting HRH Prince/Princess to the children of the heir apparent in each generation only. The Queen stopped that.

It was also reported that Beatrice asked her grandmother, uncle and cousin whether she would be wanted/needed as a working royal at least 4 times during her education (at the times she needed to make choices about what to study) and each time she was told she would be similar to Princess Alexandra. However shortly after she graduated from university (college in the UK is not the same thing and can, in fact, be a high school e.g. Eton is a College but there are also post school colleges that largely deal with technical and trade education - to refer to university as a college is insulting to that institution in the UK's education system) she was told she wasn't going to be wanted or needed. That was a few weeks after William and Catherine married. She has since added additional training courses, that she would have done if Elizabeth II, Charles III and William had been honest with her in the first place (my sources for this come from personal contacts as well as what was reported in the media and the so-called 'royal experts'.

Eugenie was told right through her education she needed to plan for a career as she wasn't going to be wanted or needed.

I do agree that this is more likely what happened as even the term working royal started to appear only in the early 2010’s which would make it likely that Beatrice was told that she was not needed after she finished her education which she did in 2011

 

[Iluvbertie]

So, what specific courses did she take up in preparation to work for the firm? And what would she have done otherwise?

A-levels in in Drama, History and Film Studies; except for History, don't suggest a thorough preparation for a royal role. Her university studies in 'History and History of Ideas' seem a slightly better fit. Although given that the future king decided to study Geography after A-levels in geography, history of art and biology, the royal family doesn't seem to be that particular about anybody's choice of major/subjects. The university studies chosen by continental future monarchs are much more clearly related to their future job.

The work for the firm she just needed to turn up - no education actually needed. Until the current generation many royals didn't even go to school lef alone univesity. What sort of education do you need to be able to say 'how are you' and to cut a ribbon?

She would have chosen different options at school and university had she been told from the get-go that she would need to have a career which is why she has done some short courses in business since leaving university.

 

[Blog Real]

The work for the firm she just needed to turn up - no education actually needed. Until the current generation many royals didn't even go to school lef alone univesity. What sort of education do you need to be able to say 'how are you' and to cut a ribbon?

She would have chosen different options at school and university had she been told from the get-go that she would need to have a career which is why she has done some short courses in business since leaving university.

I may be wrong, but an heir and especially a monarch usually has more responsibilities than just cutting a ribbon or doing an inauguration. Knowledge of diplomacy, international relations or politics is important.

 

[Somebody]

The work for the firm she just needed to turn up - no education actually needed. Until the current generation many royals didn't even go to school lef alone univesity. What sort of education do you need to be able to say 'how are you' and to cut a ribbon?

She would have chosen different options at school and university had she been told from the get-go that she would need to have a career which is why she has done some short courses in business since leaving university.

But if education was completely up to her, why did she pick this degree at this university instead of courses she actually wanted to do at a different university? I truly don't see the problem. Many people choose a degree that they are interested in - and for people in the upper class like her, the employability of the degree is of lesser interest than for many others.

 

[Somebody]

I may be wrong, but an heir and especially a monarch usually has more responsibilities than just cutting a ribbon or doing an inauguration. Knowledge of diplomacy, international relations or politics is important.

I agree but of course Beatrice was not expected to do much in that area; although a well-rounded education and some knowledge of diplomacy would be helpful even for supporting royals.

 

[duke of poliganc]

I do think they would benefit a lot from having Beatrice as working royal and Eugenie as a part time working royal, they would add a much needed young representative as the current youngest royal is a reluctant heir and his wife who is recovering from cancer, the next youngest is the Edinburgh’s and at 60 both of them can hardly be described as young!

Also I don’t understand why they are trying to raise the profile of the Gloucester‘s recently who are both 80 and 78 unless they are just wanting the help but decided to go with the couple who is soon to retire until William and Kate increase their work again!

 

[Hallo girl]

I do think they would benefit a lot from having Beatrice as working royal and Eugenie as a part time working royal, they would add a much needed young representative as the current youngest royal is a reluctant heir and his wife who is recovering from cancer, the next youngest is the Edinburgh’s and at 60 both of them can hardly be described as young!

Also I don’t understand why they are trying to raise the profile of the Gloucester‘s recently who are both 80 and 78 unless they are just wanting the help but decided to go with the couple who is soon to retire until William and Kate increase their work again!

Maybe they are raising the profile as a thank you for a lifetime of service.

 

[EllieCat]

If 'working royals' is the way forward, and it certainly looks like it is, i can't see why some of the others could be 'supporting royals', meaning Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie could just occasionally turn up as a backup crew; I was pleased to see Eugenie and Zara at the Garden Party this year; it's that sort of thing I mean. It would be great to see them at a grand reception too, but i somehow doubt that would happen in this day and age. Taking over the odd patronage from Princess Alexandra who has well and truly done her duty, but her health means she is an invisible working royal. No matter what happens, the RF NEED some sort of youthful injection. I'm the same age (more or less) as Sophie, but I do like looking at what the younger Royals wear, call me shallow! They add decoration along with the dignity, pomp and circumstance. B&E are loyal too. As are the Phillipses and Tindalls. I remember the days when the Royals would turn up, even at the movie premieres, in tiaras and diamonds. I can see why that's not done now, of course, but we, well I don't, want the Monarchy to look like a group of social workers (with full respect to social workers); they need to stand out.

 

[Iluvbertie]

But if education was completely up to her, why did she pick this degree at this university instead of courses she actually wanted to do at a different university? I truly don't see the problem. Many people choose a degree that they are interested in - and for people in the upper class like her, the employability of the degree is of lesser interest than for many others.

She did things that interested her but wouldn't necessarily lead to a career. Had she been told up front that she would have to have a career she would have chosen subjects and a degree that would have lead to that but having been told she was to be a working royal she chose those subjects that were pure of interest. There aren't many jobs that need or want a 'History of Ideas' degree.

 

[Kaye1850]

She did things that interested her but wouldn't necessarily lead to a career. Had she been told up front that she would have to have a career she would have chosen subjects and a degree that would have lead to that but having been told she was to be a working royal she chose those subjects that were pure of interest. There aren't many jobs that need or want a 'History of Ideas' degree.

Don’t know about that as even back in my day, advice was “uni is not a technical education school, study what you find fascinating.”

 

[Iluvbertie]

Don’t know about that as even back in my day, advice was “uni is not a technical education school, study what you find fascinating.”

Not much use if the degree doesn't lead anywhere and for me, in the 70s, we were told to study a degree that would lead to a job and not only what you found fascinating. By the 00s it was even more so otherwise a waste of time and money if after getting a degree you have to do more courses before being able to get a job.

For Beatrice, after being told she wasn't going to be a working royal she wanted to go into a business career - hence the need to do additional courses. Had the BRF been honest with her she would have done a business degree from the get go.

 

[Leopoldine]

I don't think B and E are being shut out of RF duties because of personal reasons or regarding their erratic parents.

It's just that the world has changed. When HLM was monarch during the 50s, 60s and 70s, there was no internet or Zoom calls. Compare 2025 to 1972. In 1972, there was the (I think) 4-channel BBC, newspapers, and ... radio? Royals had to get out there and meet and greet. Now, less Royals are needed because of all of these newer methods of communication which can provide connection to working Royals.

If William had to, he could connect with 100,000 people in one day. A few Zoom calls, a video of a speech on conservation, maybe even a few instas or posts on the Royal site. They don't need 22 working Royals anymore.

 

[Elly C]

I don't think B and E are being shut out of RF duties because of personal reasons or regarding their erratic parents.

It's just that the world has changed. When HLM was monarch during the 50s, 60s and 70s, there was no internet or Zoom calls. Compare 2025 to 1972. In 1972, there was the (I think) 4-channel BBC, newspapers, and ... radio? Royals had to get out there and meet and greet. Now, less Royals are needed because of all of these newer methods of communication which can provide connection to working Royals.

If William had to, he could connect with 100,000 people in one day. A few Zoom calls, a video of a speech on conservation, maybe even a few instas or posts on the Royal site. They don't need 22 working Royals anymore.

Even with the massive changes in all forms of media, many of the fundamental aspects of having a UK Royal Family haven’t.. The Royal Year involves many occasions where the Royals are expected to directly engage with the public and expected to represent the Country. These are long established - traditions and events that aren’t going to disappear over night as they make up the very fabric of the UK. There’s also the many occasions that Royals carry out similar roles and engagements abroad. As such, and going back to the original theme of the thread, in the near future ( not too near I hope) the Royals are going to be stretched in a way they could not foresee 5-10 years ago.

 

[Hallo girl]

Not much use if the degree doesn't lead anywhere and for me, in the 70s, we were told to study a degree that would lead to a job and not only what you found fascinating. By the 00s it was even more so otherwise a waste of time and money if after getting a degree you have to do more courses before being able to get a job.

For Beatrice, after being told she wasn't going to be a working royal she wanted to go into a business career - hence the need to do additional courses. Had the BRF been honest with her she would have done a business degree from the get go.

What evidence is there that her grandmother was not upfront with her. That she was told one thing then there was a change,

 

[irish_royalist]

What evidence is there that her grandmother was not upfront with her. That she was told one thing then there was a change,

There is absolutely none

 

[Hallo girl]

There is absolutely none

Thank you,

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Regarding the foregoing debate about Princess Beatrice’s expectations for her future when she was at university…

Thanks to TRF’s invaluable archives, I found this report by the very careful Richard Palmer in the Express from the time of Beatrice’s university graduation (September 9, 2011).

Princess Beatrice graduates as proud Andrew and Fergie look on

PRINCESS Beatrice, wearing a cap and gown, took part in her graduation ceremony at Goldsmiths College in London today.

www.express.co.uk

An excerpt:

“Friends have suggested that she will eventually plump for a job in the fashion industry or perhaps fine arts but royal sources have said they have been given no real indication yet where her career plans lie.

Buckingham Palace has also declined to say whether the Princess, who lives rent free in a taxpayer-funded four-bedroom apartment at St James’s Palace, will ever become a full or even part-time working royal, undertaking official duties on behalf of the Queen.

Royal sources have long suggested that she does not figure in the family’s future plans for official duties amid claims that Prince Charles is keen to see a slimmed-down monarchy.

A palace spokesman said today: "Princess Beatrice will over the coming months broaden her knowledge and experience to complement her position as a member of the Royal Family.

"This will involve undertaking a number of internships to develop her experience, particularly in business and philanthropy. She will also continue to be involved with her existing charitable interests and look to progress this work into other relevant areas."”

[...]​

So, publicly, the Palace and their “royal sources” were giving mixed signals about Princess Beatrice’s future at the time of her university graduation university in 2011 - refusing to answer the question about whether she would be a working royal, but “suggesting” behind the scenes that the royal family’s future slimmed-down official duties would not include her, but then also stating on the record that her planned internships were meant to “complement her position as a member of the Royal Family” (as opposed to complementing a future job in the private sector).

One hopes Elizabeth and Charles provided Beatrice with clearer feedback behind closed doors. If their communication with Beatrice was as muddled as their communication with the media, she could hardly be blamed for being confused.

I wonder if perhaps Elizabeth and Charles were not of like mind about Princess Beatrice’s future. That could explain why the on-the-record palace statements and the anonymous “royal source” comments seemed to be in conflict.