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.
“Eugenie and Jack were with the children, the nanny and a group of friends,” a fellow diner told the outlet. “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.”
“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 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.
Andrew’s 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.
Eugenie’s uncle and Andrew’s brother, King Charles, released a statement following the disgraced royal’s arrest, expressing his “deepest concern” regarding the development and offering his support to police amid the investigation.
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities,” the 77-year-old monarch said via Buckingham Palace.
“In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation,” 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 Andrew’s 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.
“The police may have a basis for questioning Sarah Ferguson [as] she may be a relevant witness in this case,” a top barrister told Page Six after Andrew’s arrest.
“They may want to ask her some questions,” the source added. “While Sarah Ferguson would not have been in a public office at that time, I don’t know what she knows, and if she has disclosed anything (in emails consistent with her role as an ex-royal and Andrew’s ex-wife).”
As for Beatrice, it is unclear where the princess was at the time of her embattled father’s arrest on the morning of his 66th birthday.
Both she and her sister, however, are said to be “putting pieces of the puzzle together in real time” and “realizing they may have been used” in connection to the Epstein drama.
“They’re trying to stay away from it,” a source told People on Friday. “They have young children, and this is their grandfather — their focus is on protecting their own children from his.”
“That has to feel like a complete betrayal,” the insider added. “They’re heartbroken — but a dad is still your dad, and a mom is still your mom. Love for a parent isn’t a light switch. It’s an incredibly painful and introspective moment for them.”
Beatrice tied the knot with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020. The couple shares two daughters: Sienna, 4, and Athena, 1.
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