Princess Eugenie was spotted skiing in Switzerland just hours before her father, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested early Thursday morning.
The royal was seen enjoying a holiday in the Swiss resort of Gstaad on Wednesday with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, their two children, their nanny and a group of close friends, according to Hello!
After spending some time on the slopes, the group reportedly stopped off for lunch at a nearby Alpine-style eaterie called Restaurant Waldmatte.
âEugenie and Jack were with the children, the nanny and a group of friends,â a fellow diner told the outlet. âThey were tucked away in a corner and casually dressed in ski gear and jackets, and Jack was wearing a beanie hat as they both browsed the menu.â
âI was surprised to see her because I thought she would be keeping a low profile in light of everything that has been going on,â the witness added.
Eugenie, 35, and Brooksbank, 39, met during a ski holiday in Switzerland in 2010. The couple married in October 2018, and have since welcomed two sons: August, 5, and Ernest, 2.
Hours after the princess was spotted on the Swiss ski slopes, her father was taken into custody at his Sandringham Estate in eastern England on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Andrewâs arrest, which also came on his 66th birthday, was said to be in connection with allegations he forwarded confidential trade documents to Jeffrey Epstein while still serving as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
Eugenieâs uncle and Andrewâs brother, King Charles, released a statement following the disgraced royalâs arrest, expressing his âdeepest concernâ regarding the development and offering his support to police amid the investigation.
âWhat now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities,â the 77-year-old monarch said via Buckingham Palace.
âIn this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation,â Charles added.
Andrew was later pictured in the backseat of a car leaving Aylsham Police Station roughly 11 hours after he was taken into custody.
Meanwhile, top British legal sources told Page Six that Sarah Ferguson may be questioned by police in connection with Andrewâs arrest. She is currently believed to be in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The former Duchess of York and Andrew tied the knot in 1986, but separated in 1992 after just six years of marriage.
Although they finalized their divorce in 1996, the pair continued to live together at the Royal Lodge in Windsor until being evicted from the property last year by King Charles.
The disgraced royals welcomed Princess Beatrice, 37, in 1988 and Eugenie in 1990.
âThe police may have a basis for questioning Sarah Ferguson [as] she may be a relevant witness in this case,â a top barrister told Page Six after Andrewâs arrest.
âThey may want to ask her some questions,â the source added. âWhile Sarah Ferguson would not have been in a public office at that time, I donât know what she knows, and if she has disclosed anything (in emails consistent with her role as an ex-royal and Andrewâs ex-wife).â
As for Beatrice, it is unclear where the princess was at the time of her embattled fatherâs arrest on the morning of his 66th birthday.
Both she and her sister, however, are said to be âputting pieces of the puzzle together in real timeâ and ârealizing they may have been usedâ in connection to the Epstein drama.
âTheyâre trying to stay away from it,â a source told People on Friday. âThey have young children, and this is their grandfather â their focus is on protecting their own children from his.â
âThat has to feel like a complete betrayal,â the insider added. âTheyâre heartbroken â but a dad is still your dad, and a mom is still your mom. Love for a parent isnât a light switch. Itâs an incredibly painful and introspective moment for them.â
Beatrice tied the knot with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020. The couple shares two daughters: Sienna, 4, and Athena, 1.
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