Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, have relocated to a luxury villa in Portugal, a move that royal expert Richard Fitzwillams suggests offers a degree of separation from the ongoing scandals involving her parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice has remained in the United Kingdom, continuing her public duties.
Eugenie, 36, and Brooksbank, 40, are reportedly living in a £3.6 million oceanside villa near the village of Melides, Portugal. The couple welcomed their daughter, Adelaide Elizabeth Brooksbank, on August 3 in Lisbon. Fitzwillams noted that the birth abroad, coupled with the couple dividing their time between Britain and Portugal, helps distance them from the fallout of controversies surrounding the House of York.
According to Fitzwillams, Eugenie's departure has potentially shifted public perception of her, making her appear "freer" compared to her sister. He highlighted that Eugenie is said to be keeping her distance from her father, Prince Andrew, who has been embroiled in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. While Beatrice is described as more of a "daddy's girl" and has remained in the UK, Eugenie is reportedly repelled by her father's actions.
This contrast is exemplified by public appearances. Images of Eugenie with her newborn have been shared, while Beatrice was recently seen attending the funeral of Paddy McNally, her mother's former associate, appearing more isolated.
Fitzwillams pointed out that Beatrice, as the elder sister, is considered closer to their father and was reportedly instrumental in advising him on his controversial Newsnight interview. Andrew's ties to Epstein have led to intense scrutiny, and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, has also faced public examination regarding her past communications with the convicted sex offender. Emails revealed Ferguson took both Eugenie and Beatrice to visit Epstein after his release from prison for child prostitution offenses, and also discussed Eugenie's personal life.
Despite the challenging period for the family, Eugenie has had a personal celebration with the birth of her daughter. Adelaide, who is 15th in line to the throne, was named in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, with Eugenie stating her name was inspired by people she and her husband "love and admire, past and present."
Local reports from Portugal indicate that Sarah Ferguson may be assisting Eugenie with childcare. Staff at a restaurant in Melides have stated that Eugenie, Brooksbank, and Ferguson are regulars, and there has been speculation about Ferguson's presence to help with the new baby.
Fitzwillams added that while the release of Epstein files has created a difficult period, Brooksbank's luxury brand has reportedly remained unaffected due to strict boundaries on contact with his in-laws. He also noted that reports suggest Eugenie's previously close relationship with the Sussexes has cooled, which could be seen as a sign of support from the wider royal family.
Prince Andrew was previously arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in February 2026, spending 11 hours in custody during a police search of his property before being released under investigation. He has faced significant backlash for his association with Epstein.