Princess Eugenie was photographed out with her husband Jack Brooksbank today for the first time since her father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested. The 12th in line to the throne was dressed casually in Nike trainers, blue leggings, a jacket and a North Face baseball cap as she grabbed a coffee in West London. Eugenie was seen standing next to her husband, who was wearing a colourful bobble hat as he spoke on the phone on a street outside Hagen Espresso Bar in Notting Hill. It follows days of police searches at Andrew's former home of Royal Lodge in Windsor, after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office last Thursday.
Allegations Focus on Trade Envoy Role and Epstein Links
The former prince spent 11 hours in custody on his 66th birthday while officers searched his property at Sandringham before he was released under investigation. Andrew is accused of sharing sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as UK's special representative for international trade and investment. Following Andrew's arrest, ex-US ambassador Peter Mandelson was also detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office yesterday before being released on bail. Eugenie's mother Sarah Ferguson has spent time in recent months in the French Alps, UAE and an exclusive clinic in Zurich - but her current whereabouts are unknown.
Eugenie 'In a State' After Father's Arrest During Ski Break
Eugenie had been holidaying in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Gstaad with her family last week when her father was arrested - and is said to have been 'in a state'. Her parents Andrew and Fergie feature heavily among the three million pages of Epstein files which were released by the US Department of Justice last month. Fergie's emails to the financier revealed she took Eugenie and Beatrice to visit Epstein days after his release from prison for child prostitution offences. Other messages from Fergie to Epstein even talked about Eugenie's sexual life, declaring in one that the princess had been away on a '[expletive] weekend' when she was 19.
Eugenie was spotted in Switzerland last week by diners at the exclusive Restaurant Waldmatte in Gstaad, with Mr Brooksbank and their sons August and Ernest. One who saw her at lunch told Hello! Magazine: '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 family were with friends who had also joined them at the eatery with a large terrace and impressive views of the Alps, although they opted to stay inside. The diner added: '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.'
Earlier this month, Eugenie left the UK for Qatar where she appeared in public for the first time since the new Epstein files were released. She is a director of art dealer Hauser & Wirth and was working at a high-end contemporary art fair in Doha. Eugenie and Beatrice were previously said to be 'aghast' at their mother's embarrassing tranche of emails to Epstein. Sources close to the sisters also said they were 'appalled' and 'embarrassed' about the photos of their father crouching over a mystery woman lying on the floor in Epstein's New York mansion.
Despite being stripped of his title last year, the former duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an Act of Parliament would be required to remove Andrew and prevent him from ever becoming king. The UK Government is expected to consider introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the King's disgraced brother. Separately, emails from the Epstein files show Fergie introduced her goddaughter to Epstein after his first stint in prison for soliciting prostitution from a child. She gave the late sexual offender contact details for Poppy Cotterell, the daughter of her former lady-in-waiting, adding: 'Over to you! Lots of love.' Fergie sent Epstein her goddaughter's details on November 12, 2010 - 16 months after he was released from prison in Florida.
Epstein set up a meeting with the then 22-year-old, considered employing her and making a $100,000 donation in her name to a children's health charity, emails reveal. Ms Cotterell's mother Carolyn was a lady-in-waiting to the former duchess and godmother to her eldest daughter, Beatrice. On Saturday, the Daily Mail revealed Fergie checked herself into the most expensive wellness clinic in the world as details about her close friendship with Epstein ruined her. While Andrew was photographed repeatedly in Windsor and then on the Sandringham estate, Fergie has not been seen in public since last year.
This prompted global speculation about where the former royal has been living - before the Daily Mail established that, for much of the time, she has been sheltering in a famous Swiss clinic. Fergie secretly took refuge in the world-renowned £13,000-a-day Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich over a month ago. Following the prolonged stay at the clinic, thought to have lasted several weeks, the globe-trotting former royal is subsequently believed to have spent time in both the French Alps and the United Arab Emirates.