Real reason Princess Eugenie 'stayed away' from Royal Lodge summit with Prince Andrew

Princess Eugenie was absent during a dramatic family summit that took place three days after her father, Prince Andrew's, bombshell announcement last week, and now a source has explained why. It has been a challenging month for the House of York as week after week, new explosive details about Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's link to convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, emerge.

The drama culminated in Andrew releasing a bombshell statement claiming he will no longer be using his royal titles and honours in a bid not to distract the public from the Royal Family's work. Three days later, on Monday, the scandal-ridden family gathered at Royal Lodge for a "highly fraught affair," according to reports.

Princess Beatrice was even pictured leaving the 30-room mansion looking stressed.

But her sister, Princess Eugenie, was nowhere to be found.

A royal source told the Daily Mail: "The Royal Lodge 'summit' wasn't a happy occasion and the family, once a strong unit, is fractured."

It comes as other sources claimed Eugenie's sister, Beatrice, has been deeply affected by her father's drama.

A royal source told the same outlet: "She was on the phone saying she couldn't bring herself to look at the Sunday papers. She looked absolutely devastated."

The latest furore about Prince Andrew has not left his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, unaffected. Fergie has also lost her Duchess of York title, while other bombshells about her own links to Epstein have sparked fury.

Royal commentator Ingrid Seward said: "Giving up their [Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie] titles would give them freedom from their parents, stop them being tarred with the same brush and be a clear sign that they want to make their own way in the world.

"I think people would hugely respect them for it and, I think, ultimately, they would be happier."