Princess Eugenie has been accused of showing disrespect to the British public after she was seen smiling at Art Basel in Qatar, just days after her father Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office
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, 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.
Eugenie’s father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested this morning on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. He has consistently refuted any allegations made against him.
Her mother, Sarah Ferguson, has likewise suffered years of reputational damage stemming from previous connections.
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.”, reports the Mirror.
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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