There’s little doubt the past few months have been hugely stressful for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie as they deal with the aftermath of their parents’ fall from grace. But last week, it became starkly clear how the behaviour of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson has affected the York sisters, with rumours about the state of both of their marriages reaching fever pitch.
Things between Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have “not been great for a while”, according to insiders, with the couple spending considerable time apart in recent months. While Beatrice, 37, remained at home in London with their daughters, Sienna, four, and Athena, one, the property developer recently spent time in Florida without her, staying at the exclusive Fisher Island Club and glamorous Palm Beach.
Rumours of divorce denied
With fears Edo, 42, was physically distancing himself from his wife and her family, rumours have been swirling that they could be heading for divorce.
“Not true at all,” a friend of the couple was quick to tell Hello! magazine last week, explaining the pair had been navigating a period of “distance” from each other due to Edo’s work commitments. “Things are great between them.”
Beatrice’s concerns grow
However, Woman’s Day has learned things haven’t been quite so smooth behind the scenes, with a source revealing that Edo only returned to the UK after a “tear-stricken call” from Beatrice.
“Beatrice is worried about her marriage,” confirms the source.
“She’s concerned Edo is pulling away.”
And it appears he’s not the only one. Multiple requests from his mother-in-law Sarah to move in have made Eugenie, 36, and her husband Jack Brooksbank, 39, feel shaky in their marriage, leaving Jack wary.
Jack issues an ultimatum
“Every time Jack opens up his phone, there’s a new scandal involving Eugenie’s family and he’s worried his wife’s being manipulated by Sarah,” says our insider.
“He was very serious when he gave Eugenie an ultimatum – that it was him or her mum. “Eugenie doesn’t believe for a moment Jack would ever walk out on her, but she is taking this threat seriously. Seeing Beatrice’s marriage under strain, she’s not willing to put hers to the test as well.”
