Princess Eugenie’s whereabouts on the time of father Andrew’s arrest revealed

Princess Eugenie was reportedly spotted on a family skiing holiday in Switzerland just hours before her father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

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Princess Eugenie was seen on a skiing holiday hours before her father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested. On the morning of his 66th birthday, the former Duke of York was arrested as a large number of police descended on the Sandringham estate.

The ex-prince was taken into custody at Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk, where he was detained for 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office, before being released around 7:30pm on Thursday (February 19) evening.

It has now come to light that his youngest daughter Princess Eugenie, with whom Andrew is said to have a tense relationship due to the Epstein scandal, was spotted on a skiing holiday in Switzerland with her family a

In the hours leading up to Andrew’s arrest, Eugenie was reportedly seen enjoying a half-term trip in the Swiss resort of Gstaad, along with her husband Jack Brooksbank, their children August, five, and Ernest, who turns three in May, and a group of friends. The children’s nanny also accompanied the family on their snowy retreat, reports the Mirror.

In addition to spending time on the ski slopes, the group paused for a low-key lunch at Restaurant Waldmatte. A fellow diner at the restaurant told Hello! Magazine: “Eugenie and Jack were with the children, the nanny and a group of friends.

“They 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.” They continued: “I was surprised to see her because I thought she would be keeping a low-profile in light of everything that has been going on.”

The Swiss location is popular amongst royalty, celebrities and the ultra-wealthy, with King Charles having previously visited the area. Switzerland holds particular significance for Eugenie and Jack, who initially encountered each other during a skiing trip to Verbier, where Andrew and Fergie formerly owned a chalet.

A royal source has suggested that both Eugenie and her elder sister Princess Beatrice are “in a state” regarding their father’s detention. The princesses have remained silent publicly about his arrest and the continuing claims from the Epstein documents – but are reportedly attempting their utmost “to put a brave face on it” behind closed doors.

Nevertheless, Princess Eugenie has faced criticism for “sticking two fingers up” at the British public after her appearance at a high-profile art event in Qatar, just days after renewed scrutiny of her parents’ past controversies surfaced and ahead of her father Andrew’s arrest. The 35-year-old royal was pictured beaming at Art Basel 2026 in Doha whilst fulfilling her responsibilities as a director at Hauser and Wirth.

This comes as UK media attention once again focused on the fallout from the latest tranche of documents linked to the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Whilst being referenced in the files does not imply any wrongdoing, the fresh scrutiny has proved deeply uncomfortable for the House of York, the Daily Star previously reported.

Royal biographer Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, suggested that the timing and nature of the princess’s public appearance risks sending an inappropriate message, reports the Express. Mr Lownie said: “It could be an accident that a friend put the picture up, but I don’t think it is because it’s a close friend and they must have told their friends don’t do this, so it’s basically two fingers up, we can do what we want.”

The remark underscores growing discontent among some observers that members of the wider Royal Family appear to be insulated from the fallout of ongoing scandals. Eugenie has not commented on the most recent document release.

She’s also been absent from Instagram since November, when she shared an update about her charitable work with The King’s Foundation. Notably, she didn’t publicly celebrate her son August’s fifth birthday this week, breaking from her usual practice of marking family events online.

The princess, who doesn’t carry out official royal duties, has maintained a relatively low public profile in recent months. Her last public appearance with senior members of the Royal Family – excluding her parents – was on Christmas Day 2025, when she was seen with her sister Princess Beatrice and their respective partners. That occasion sparked speculation at the time, with some commentators interpreting it as a subtle distancing from Andrew and Ferguson during a period of intense public scrutiny.

Critics argue that attending a high-profile international art exhibition whilst controversy swirls at home could reinforce perceptions of being disconnected. Supporters contend that Eugenie has every right to fulfil her professional obligations and shouldn’t be held responsible for her parents’ actions or associations.

Mr Lownie’s comments underscore the importance of optics in an era where public trust in institutions remains fragile, and symbolism holds considerable influence. A buoyant appearance abroad, however routine it might be from a professional standpoint, can be interpreted quite differently when viewed against a backdrop of scandal.

For Eugenie, who has persistently worked to forge an independent reputation through her career in the art sector and charitable work, the challenge is substantial. Whether warranted or not, the shadow of her parents’ past connections continues to cast a pall.

Whether her latest public outing was simply professional duty or, as critics suggest, a defiant gesture, it’s clear that the House of York remains under relentless observation – with every move being scrutinised accordingly.

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