Princess Beatrice Is ‘Very Protective’ of Her Dad, Prince Andrew, Amid His Jeffrey Epstein Scandal

Change of plans. Princess Beatrice was set to celebrate her engagement to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi next week, but an insider confirmed to In Touch that she decided to cancel her engagement party in order to protect her father, Prince Andrew, in the midst of his scandal.

“Yes, it’s true. Beatrice has canceled her big engagement party and is opting for a smaller, more intimate gathering,” a source exclusively revealed to In Touch.

Beatrice, 31, had originally planned a party at the Chiltern Firehouse in London on December 18, but she decided against it, the Mail on Sunday reported. The royal feared there would be too many photographers outside waiting for a glimpse of her dad in the midst of his scandal surrounding his friendship with the late disgraced financier, Jeffrey Epstein.

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“While she’s standing by her dad, she’s devastated about the Epstein scandal and doesn’t want her special day turning into media circus focusing on Andrew instead of her. She’s very protective over Andrew,” the insider continued. “She’s nervous that the same thing could happen at the wedding, too, and has yet to confirm an exact date. I wouldn’t say the scandal has ruined the wedding, but it’s definitely cast a shadow over the celebrations.”

As In Touch previously reported, Prince Andrew denied the allegations claiming he had been involved in Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking ring during an interview with Emily Maitlis, during a BBC special titled “Andrew & the Epstein Scandal.” But instead of clearing the air, Prince Andrew managed to anger viewers and royal watchers even more with the way he conducted himself during the interview. So much, that he stepped down from his royal duties just four days after the special aired on TV last month.

“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organizations and charities that I am proud to support,” the 59-year-old Duke of York said in a statement on November 20. “Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty [Queen Elizabeth] if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”