Princess Beatrice's TV appearance from New York is 'hint' to King
- Beatrice gave update in interview from Empire State Building, New York
Princess Beatrice’s rare live appearance on national TV is a big ‘hint’ that she and her sister Eugenie may be gently pushing for more official duties from King Charles, royal experts told MailOnline today.
Beatrice, 35, popped up on ITV’s This Morning to reveal that her mother Sarah Ferguson is ‘all clear’ of skin cancer following a ‘bumpy health scare last year’.
She was stood on top of the Empire State Building in New York for an event in partnership with the charity Outward Bound.
Biographer and royal commentator Phil Dampier told MailOnline today that her appearance on Britain’s top morning TV show is not a coincidence at a time when the King and the Princess of Wales are battling cancer.
He said: ‘I get the impression Beatrice and Eugenie are stepping up their charity work, and dropping subtle hints to the King that they would be willing to take on some royal duties if asked.
‘The King recently took over some 300 patronages from his mother and father, but it’s a big workload, especially as he’s battling cancer’.
He added: ‘Done carefully with Palace approval, I think it could be arranged so that they [Beatrice and Eugenie] take on some non-controversial roles with worthy causes like hospitals, schools and even the military’.
She told the programme that both she and her sister Princess Eugenie are ‘so proud’ of her and have ‘modelled their own health considerations on that’. Sarah, Beatrice and Eugenie pictured in November
‘I think Bea and Eugenie could do some minor roles, but the problem is it’s difficult to be half in and half out of the royal firm, as Harry and Meghan have discovered’.
Mr Dampier said that while their parents the Duke and Duchess of York have been accused of ‘cashing in on their royal status’ – their children are keeping their heads down.
Mr Dampier said that the late Queen’s affection for their mother may help.
He said: ‘Beatrice and her sister Eugenie are always very happy to talk about their mother to whom they are very close.
‘They call themselves the tripod as they are inseparable and always support each other through thick and thin.
‘The late Queen had a soft spot for Fergie despite her faults, and always said : “The one thing you can say about her is that she’s a good mother’.
Beatrice made a shock TV appearance yesterday.
She told ITV’s This Morning that both she and her sister Princess Eugenie are ‘so proud’ of her and have ‘modelled their own health considerations on that’.
‘She’s been through so much,’ she added. ‘And her sense of purpose and resilience really keeps me going,’ she added.
‘Really now she’s sort of coming into her own. We’re just reminded when any parent or individual has a health scenario – just really get the checks that you need to get and as early as you possibly can.
‘We’re really lucky in the UK to make sure you can get those checks best you can and hopefully we can be there to support each other when anyone goes through a health scare.’
In March, the Duchess of York (pictured earlier this earlier) was told there appears to be no spread of her skin cancer following another bout of surgery
The royal sported a chic khaki jacket over a black dress as she attended the event in New York yesterday
In her first ever live television interview Beatrice also opened about working with the charity Outward Bound, which empowers young people to find the joy in outdoor events and learning
The This Morning team also sent their best wishes to Beatrice following the Royal Family’s bout of health issues this year – with King Charles III and Kate Middleton also opening up about cancer diagnoses, to which the Princess said: ‘There’s nothing more important than family.
In March, the Duchess of York was told there appears to be no spread of her skin cancer following another bout of surgery.
Sarah received a devastating blow in January when doctors discovered a malignant melanoma during a second bout of reconstructive surgery following her breast cancer diagnosis last year.
The news came as a ‘huge shock’ to Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, affectionately dubbed Fergie, although friends said she was determined to ‘bounce back’.
The Mail revealed that the duchess had undergone further surgery to examine the area around the mole that was found to be malignant, as well as her lymph nodes.
A friend had said she had just learned that those were all ‘free of cancer’ and doctors believed there had been no spread of the disease.
While she must continue to be vigilant and undergo regular 12-week check-ups, the news was the ‘best possible outcome she could have hoped for’ and her prognosis is good.
‘She’s undergone further surgery following the melanoma diagnosis to examine the area around the mole that was found to be malignant and her lymph nodes,’ the duchess’ friend explained.
‘The good news is that these have all been found to be free of cancer so it looks like there has been no spread of the disease and the prognosis is good, though she’ll have to have regular check-ups going forward.
‘It’s a huge relief for Sarah and the entire family after the most stressful time and an anxious wait for results.’
Sources close to the Duchess said doctors are reluctant to use the term ‘cancer free’ as vigilance is still very much needed, but added that there was very much cause for optimism.
Beatrice also opened up about her love for New York, where she had the opportunity to live for a couple of years
The royal sported black and white Veja shoes, adding a casual touch to her ensemble, for the event
Beatrice appeared in high spirits as she made an appearance at the special event at the Empire State Building
The friend added: ‘She is very lucky that the melanoma was caught early thanks to the vigilance of her dermatologist, who asked for a number of moles to be checked while she was undergoing reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy
‘Sarah will now have to have checks every 12 weeks. She’s determined that some good comes out of her situation and was heartened to see there was an upsurge in people checking for details of melanoma on the NHS website after she made her diagnosis public.
‘You can expect to see her banging the drum for the public health message and urging people not to miss mammograms or delay getting moles checked.
In her first ever live television interview Beatrice also opened about working with the charity Outward Bound, which empowers young people to find the joy in outdoor events and learning.
In a special project, individuals were abseiling from the top of the Empire State Building yesterday.
She said the charity is ‘really there to think about what young people need in life’. Her grandfather, Prince Philip, was also involved with the non-profit in the 1950s
The Princess, who used to live in New York, appeared to bask in a tourist moment as she posed for photos
The royal was all smiles as she made an appearance in New York, in support of her work the Outward Bound Trust
‘I am here to kick off an amazing challenge which is called The Big Rappel. So I work very closely with an amazing organisation in the UK called the Outward Bound Trust.
‘I’ve been involved with the organisation for a few years now and this amazing challenge is a phenomenal collaboration between Outward Bound Trust, Outward Bound International and Outward Bound New York.’
She said the charity is ‘really there to think about what young people need in life’.
Her grandfather, Prince Philip, was also involved with the non-profit in the 1950s.
Beatrice also opened up about her love for New York, where she had the opportunity to live for a couple of years.
‘New York for me when I was figuring out my life and what I wanted to do, New York gave me a place to have a job and just get on with it.
‘So New York has always sort of had a special place for me and for mum as well, she came out here, started her charity… back in the day. So New York for us has always been a great city to spend some time in.’
She also said that her ‘little ones’ are ‘phenomenally about coming to travel’ but ‘hasn’t yet braved the international flight’ with her daughter, who is two and half years old.
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