June 16, 2026

Princess Anne Defends Beatrice and Eugenie, Kate Returns for Garter Day and Andrew's Exile Deepens

Show Notes
Transcript

Princess Anne is reportedly pushing back against the treatment of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as questions continue about their future role within the Royal Family. We examine new claims about tensions behind palace walls, Sarah Ferguson's latest controversy, and why Prince Andrew missed another major royal event. Plus, King Charles, Prince William and Princess Catherine gather at Windsor Castle for the historic Order of the Garter ceremony, and a balcony moment from Trooping the Colour sparks fresh discussion about the future King.

Palace Intrigue is a daily British royal family podcast covering King Charles, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton and the House of Windsor. New episodes every day. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Part of the Caloroga Shark Media network.

WEBVTT

1
00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:11.919
Ah Calorogus Shark Media. Hello and welcome through Palace Intrigue Game,

2
00:00:11.960 --> 00:00:16.359
your host Mark Francis. Sarah Ferguson is reportedly facing renewed

3
00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:20.320
scrutiny as questions continue to swirl around her past associations

4
00:00:20.359 --> 00:00:24.640
and the publication of accounts from former staff members. According

5
00:00:24.679 --> 00:00:27.719
to reports, the Duchess of York has been left deeply

6
00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:30.719
frustrated by a fresh wave of negative publicity, with sources

7
00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:33.479
claiming she believes some of the criticism being directed at

8
00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:38.039
her is unfair. One source quoted in recent reports claimed

9
00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:41.600
Sarah is furious and insisting the stories are unfair, but

10
00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:44.880
everyone can see she's panicked over this. She's denying it

11
00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:47.280
up and down, saying there's no way anyone has anything

12
00:00:47.399 --> 00:00:50.799
legitimate on her. She's always been able to charm her

13
00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:53.359
way through a crisis, but this is her worst nightmare.

14
00:00:53.679 --> 00:00:56.840
What has come out so far is very unfavorable to her.

15
00:00:57.479 --> 00:00:59.679
But the threat of what's to come is hanging over

16
00:00:59.719 --> 00:01:02.560
her life shadow whether she wants to acknowledge it or not,

17
00:01:03.079 --> 00:01:07.519
She's in a very vulnerable position. According to Radar Online,

18
00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:10.480
concerns have been growing over the possibility that Ferguson could

19
00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:13.640
one day cash in on her decades of royal knowledge

20
00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:19.400
through television interviews, documentaries or memoirs. One source claim there

21
00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:22.879
is a recognition that Sarah's experiences make her a uniquely

22
00:01:22.920 --> 00:01:26.640
informed figure. Few people have spent as much time around

23
00:01:26.680 --> 00:01:30.159
senior royals over such a long period, so naturally there

24
00:01:30.200 --> 00:01:32.680
is interest in what she might choose to say publicly

25
00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:36.519
in the future. According to one insider, some believe maintaining

26
00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:39.640
a constructive relationship with her as the most sensible course

27
00:01:39.680 --> 00:01:44.640
because it reduces the likelihood of unnecessary conflict. They see

28
00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:48.200
dialogue as a practical way of avoiding situations that could

29
00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:52.599
become damaging for everyone involved. Others, however, are said to

30
00:01:52.760 --> 00:01:56.560
take a much harder line. A second source claimed others

31
00:01:56.599 --> 00:01:58.680
take the view that the monarchy needs to draw a

32
00:01:58.760 --> 00:02:02.840
firm line. Believe the former members of the institution should

33
00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:06.799
not continue to receive special consideration simply because they possess

34
00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:11.680
knowledge of private events or family dynamics. According to the report,

35
00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:14.759
the difference in thinking is where King Charles and Prince

36
00:02:14.759 --> 00:02:19.199
William allegedly find themselves on opposite sides of the issue.

37
00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:23.319
When insider said Charles believes stability is best achieved through

38
00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:27.800
compromise his views that keeping relations cordial can prevent bigger

39
00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:31.719
problems from emerging later. William sees the matter very differently.

40
00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:35.479
He feels any arrangement that appears to reward silence would

41
00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:39.599
send the wrong message and undermine efforts to modernize the institution,

42
00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:43.400
and of the source summarized the debate this way, the

43
00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:46.680
disagreement is not really about Sarah personally. It is about

44
00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:49.240
what precedent should be set and how the royal family

45
00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:53.919
should balance loyalty, reputation and accountability in the years ahead.

46
00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:58.759
Sarah's absence from a recent family wedding has reportedly surprised

47
00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:02.879
some of those closest to her. According to reports, Ferguson

48
00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:06.319
did not attend the wedding of her niece Heidi Ludeki,

49
00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:10.840
despite previously speaking warmly about her. Heidi, the daughter of

50
00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:14.919
Sarah's sister Jane, married art consultant Ben Collinson at All

51
00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:18.080
Saints Church in Dummer, a village close to the Hampshire

52
00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:22.039
farm where Sarah spent much of her childhood. Sarah once

53
00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:25.080
described Hidie as my golden niece, whom I love so much.

54
00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:28.319
I'm devoted to lovely Ben and Heidi, a family friend

55
00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:31.319
that told Richard Eden Sarah would have been surrounded by

56
00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:33.639
love had she turned up. She could have kept a

57
00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:38.479
low profile without too many problems. A new report claims

58
00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:42.280
Princess Anne has become increasingly concerned about the way Princess

59
00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:46.479
Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are being treated within royal circles

60
00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:50.960
as the fallout from Prince Andrew's controversies continues. According to

61
00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:55.439
Radar Online, sources allege that Anne has privately expressed frustration

62
00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:59.360
that her nieces continue to face consequences for scandals connected

63
00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:02.439
to their father rather than anything they have done themselves.

64
00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:06.439
One source told the publication Anne's view is that Beatrice

65
00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:10.080
and Eugenie have effectively become collateral damage in a situation

66
00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:13.479
that was never of their making. She believes they have

67
00:04:13.639 --> 00:04:17.759
carried themselves with remarkable grace through years of uncomfortable headlines

68
00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:23.040
and public scrutiny, yet continue to face consequences for controversies

69
00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:26.000
linked to other members of the family rather than anything

70
00:04:26.040 --> 00:04:30.920
they have personally done. Another source claimed, from Anne's perspective,

71
00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:33.160
there is a real sense of injustice about the way

72
00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:37.000
the sisters are being basically frozen out of the family now.

73
00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:40.680
Anne has never been the sort of person to simply

74
00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:44.000
not along with the decision she believes is wrong. If

75
00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:46.519
she feels someone is being treated unjustly, she is more

76
00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:49.959
than willing to voice her concerns more palacing just a moment.

77
00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:57.040
The royal family gathered at Windsor Castle on Monday for

78
00:04:57.079 --> 00:04:59.680
the annual Order of the Garter service, one of the

79
00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:03.560
old and most traditional events in the royal calendar. King

80
00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:08.160
Charles led the procession alongside Queen Cambella, Prince William, Princess Anne,

81
00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:10.920
Prince Edward, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, with

82
00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:14.480
members of the Order wearing their distinctive blue velvet robes

83
00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:18.319
and plumed hats. The Order of the Garter is Britain's

84
00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:21.920
oldest and most senior order of chivalry, founded by King

85
00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:25.920
Edward the third and thirteen forty eight. Membership is limited

86
00:05:25.959 --> 00:05:28.160
to the Monarch, the Prince of Wales and up to

87
00:05:28.279 --> 00:05:32.600
twenty four companions were appointments made personally by the Sovereign

88
00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:37.160
in recognition of public service, contributions to national life, or

89
00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:40.879
service to the Crown. The day began with a private

90
00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:44.959
investiture ceremony inside Windsor Castle, where three new members were

91
00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:49.079
formerly admitted to the Order. Lord Hennessy of Nimpsfield, Lord

92
00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:52.560
O'Donnell and Lord Burnett of Morden were all invested as

93
00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:56.560
night companions. The highlight of Garter Day is the famous

94
00:05:56.600 --> 00:06:00.120
procession through the castle grounds. Members of the Order or

95
00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:03.439
wear their distinctive blue velvet robes, feathered hats and insignia

96
00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:05.519
before making their way to Saint George's Chapel for a

97
00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:09.519
short service. After the service, the Knights and Ladies of

98
00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:12.680
the Garter returned to the castle by carriage, continuing a

99
00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:16.439
tradition that has endured for almost seven hundred years. In

100
00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:19.079
a welcome surprise for royal watchers, the Princess of Wales

101
00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:21.839
attended the day's events after her appearance at Trooping the

102
00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:25.480
Color over the weekend. Catherine watched the procession from Saint

103
00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:28.519
George's Chapel alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh by s Admiral

104
00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:31.959
Sir Tim Lawrence, wearing a pale yellow coat dress by

105
00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:36.879
Patrick macdowlaner matching Jane Taylor hat. Prince William took part

106
00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:40.279
in the ceremony wearing the traditional Garter robes. The Prince

107
00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:43.439
of Wales became the one thousandth Knight of the Order

108
00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:46.199
in two thousand and eight, and joined fellow members in

109
00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:51.120
the procession through the castle grounds. Despite blustery conditions in Windsor,

110
00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:53.720
which are both Catherine and Sophie holding onto their hats,

111
00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:57.680
the ceremony proceeded as planned. The annual celebration honours the

112
00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:00.240
Order of the Garter, founded by King Edward the Third

113
00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:03.399
nearly seven hundred years ago and regarded as Britain's oldest

114
00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:07.560
and most senior Order of Chivalry. Membership is personally bestowed

115
00:07:07.560 --> 00:07:11.000
by the Sovereign in recognition of public service, contributions to

116
00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:15.160
national life, or service to the Crown. Andrew missed the

117
00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:17.439
event for the first time in nearly two decades after

118
00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:20.920
reportedly being banned. A source told The Daily Express he's

119
00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:23.879
become used to watching his family celebrate trooping without him,

120
00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:25.759
but guard to day will be a really tough day

121
00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:28.519
for him. It's one of those days that reminds him

122
00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:32.079
of all that he's lost. He's feeling more isolated than ever.

123
00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:36.160
He's completely alone. There was a brief moment on the

124
00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:39.160
Buckingham Palace balcony during Saturday's Trooping the Colour, when King

125
00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:42.439
Charles and Queen Cammella appeared ready to head inside before

126
00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:46.759
the ceremony had quite finished. As the Arif fly past concluded,

127
00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:48.759
the King and Queen waved to the crowds and seemed

128
00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:51.759
prepared to leave the balcony. However, Prince William appeared too

129
00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:55.240
quietly intervene, exchanging a few words with his father before

130
00:07:55.279 --> 00:07:57.199
Charles and Camilla turned back to face the crowd just

131
00:07:57.240 --> 00:08:01.120
as the national anthem began. The royal family then stood

132
00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:03.560
at attention for God Save the King. One wonders that

133
00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:06.759
the optics had Charles been absent for that particular song

134
00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:10.759
and the abbit hey All this month, we're encouraging listeners

135
00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:14.079
of Pallace Intrigue to help spread the word. If you

136
00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:16.079
enjoy the show, tell a friend about us or Betty

137
00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:18.040
to share an episode with someone who loves following the

138
00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:21.600
royal family. Be sure to follow Palace Intrigue on Spotify

139
00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:24.519
and turn on notification so you never miss an episode.

140
00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:26.639
And we'd love to hear your thoughts on today's stories.

141
00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:30.240
You can leave comments on Spotify. I'm Mark Francis my

142
00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:33.519
thanks to John McDermott. This is Palace Intrigue and good

143
00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:34.000
terms

Princess Anne Defends Beatrice and Eugenie, Kate Returns for Garter Day and Andrew's Exile Deepens

Listen On

Recent Episodes