Princess Eugenie faces backlash after appearing at Art Basel in Qatar as renewed Epstein files surface and Prince Andrew is arrested

20 February 2026 , 17:15

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Princess Eugenie has been criticized for "sticking two fingers up" at the British public following her appearance at a prominent art event in Qatar, just days after renewed focus on her parents’ past controversies emerged and ahead of her dad Andrew’s arrest.

The 35-year-old royal was photographed smiling at Art Basel 2026 in Doha while carrying out her duties as a director at Hauser & Wirth, as UK media attention once more turned to the fallout from the latest batch of documents connected to the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. While being mentioned in the files does not suggest any wrongdoing, the fresh spotlight has proven deeply awkward 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 denied any allegations against him. Her mother, Sarah Ferguson, has similarly endured years of damage to her reputation arising from previous associations.

Royal biographer Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, indicated that the timing and appearance of the princess’s public outing risks conveying 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."

The comment highlights mounting frustration amongst some observers that members of the wider Royal Family seem shielded from the repercussions of ongoing scandals. Eugenie hasn’t addressed the most recent document release. She’s also been absent from Instagram since November, when she posted an update regarding her charitable efforts with The King’s Foundation.

Significantly, she didn’t publicly acknowledge her son August’s fifth birthday this week, departing from her typical habit of celebrating family occasions online. The princess, who doesn’t undertake official royal duties, has kept a comparatively quiet public presence in recent months.

Her most recent sighting with senior members of the Royal Family - apart from her parents - was on Christmas Day 2025, when she appeared with her sister Princess Beatrice and their respective spouses. That outing prompted speculation at the time, with certain commentators viewing it as a subtle separation from Andrew and Ferguson amid a period of intense public examination.

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Detractors suggest that attending a prestigious international art exhibition while controversy rages at home risks strengthening impressions of being out of touch. Defenders maintain that Eugenie has every right to pursue her professional commitments and shouldn’t be held accountable for her parents’ conduct or connections.

Mr Lownie’s remarks highlight the significance of appearances in an age where public confidence in establishments is delicate, and symbolism carries weight. A cheerful presence overseas, regardless of how ordinary it may be professionally, can be viewed quite differently when set against a backdrop of controversy.

For Eugenie, who has consistently strived to establish an independent identity via her career in the art world and philanthropic endeavors, the challenge is significant. Whether justified or not, the spectre of her parents’ previous associations continues to linger.

Whether her most recent appearance was merely professional conduct or, as detractors propose, a bold statement, it’s evident that the House of York remains under intense scrutiny - with every action being evaluated accordingly.