Why Princess Beatrice and Eugenie missed the late Queen’s 100th birthday celebrations

King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales have led the nation in an emotional tribute to celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, on what would have been her 100th birthday. 

Charles, 77, and Camilla, 78, attended a string of events at Buckingham Palace and the British Museum on Tuesday to celebrate the 70-year reign and life of the late Queen, who died at Balmoral Castle in 2022, aged 96. 

They were joined by Prince William and Kate, who returned from their Easter break for an afternoon reception at the Palace, while Princess Anne officially opened The Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent’s Park in her mother’s memory. 

The Duchess of Edinburgh stepped out alongside her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, at the British Museum to view the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, alongside a rare appearance from Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret’s daughter. 

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, the Queen’s middle son, was not present for the string of events after being forced to withdraw from public life over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Following the stripping of his remaining titles, Andrew has been exiled to Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate. 

However, there were several other royals not present for the occasion, including some surprising absences…

Which royals didn’t attend the centenary events?

As well as Andrew, his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, 66, was not present at the centenary events. Sarah and the late Queen shared an incredibly close bond, with the former Duchess of York once telling HELLO! she was her “biggest influence”. And it was clearly reciprocated, as the Queen left her beloved corgis to Sarah’s care when she died. 

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Sarah was last seen in public in December, for her granddaughter Athena’s christening, and last joined the royal family in public for the Duchess of Kent’s funeral in September. But following revelations about her own ties with Epstein in unearthed emails, she has also remained absent from public life – though she was spotted hiding out in Austria last week for the first time in seven months. 

Completing the absences on the York side of the family were Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who have been lying low in the midst of their parents’ scandals. However, they are understood to have the support of the King and, despite making “alternative plans” for Easter, will be welcomed at royal events in the future. 

HELLO!’s US Royal News Correspondent, Alexandra Hurtado, explained: “I don’t think it’s a surprise that Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice are missing from events commemorating their grandmother’s 100th birthday.

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“The late Queen’s granddaughters have been keeping a relatively low profile in the wake of everything that has transpired with their parents and stepping out now would inevitably draw attention, something, I imagine, they’d want to avoid on a day meant to honour their beloved Grannie.” 

Elsewhere, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward’s children were absent due to being busy with their studies. Lady Louise, 22, is preparing for her final exams at St Andrews’ University, while James, 18, has his A-level exams coming up in the summer. 

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were also absent, having wrapped up their tour in Australia over the weekend. The couple are no longer working royals and, aside from a return for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, haven’t attended major events in the royal calendar since their move to the US in 2020.

Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall and her husband Mike, were also missing from the day’s events; however, the couple are not working royals. Former Olympian Zara, 44, recently competed at the FEI Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials at Burnham Market in Norfolk. Anne’s husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, was not in attendance either. 

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis did not make an appearance alongside their parents at any of the late Queen’s birthday events. 

Celebrating the Queen’s life

King Charles gave an emotional speech, hailing his “dear Mama” and all that she had achieved throughout her reign and 74-year marriage to Prince Philip. 

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On Tuesday morning, the King and Queen joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to view the final design for the national memorial to the late Queen. In the reading room, Their Majesties were shown artworks and a short film about the design, as well as artists Martin Jennings, Yinka Shonibare, and Karen Newman, before joining guests at a reception in the Great Hall. 

They were then joined by the Waleses for a reception at Buckingham Palace’s Marble Hall, meeting representatives from the late Queen’s patronages, such as Cancer Research UK and the Royal Kennel Club. Also present were centenarians celebrating their 100th birthday, who were given a slice of birthday cake and got to receive their famous birthday cards from the King in person.