Princess Beatrice and Eugenie 'keep distance' from dad Andrew as they are 'mortified'

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are said to be "keeping a distance" from their father Prince Andrew amid the latest book claims. Beatrice, who celebrated her 37th birthday on Friday, and Eugenie, 35, have had to face a host of claims over the years about their father, including affairs, sex scandals, bribery and an abuse of power.

It has also been reported that newspapers were banned at home when the sisters were children, and, later, in an agreement with their teachers they were banned at school. Eugenie and Beatrice have now been faced with claims made in an explosive new book by historian Andrew Lownie, 'Entitled: The Rise And Fall Of The House Of York'.

The extracts, serialised in the Daily Mail,detailed Andrew's close friendship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, as well as making claims about his 'bullying' of palace staff, vulgar sense of humour and brazen sex life.

Andrew has always strongly and vehemently denied the claims in regards the sex scandals and previously reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed amount with accuser, the late Virginia Giuffre.

It also ventured into an alleged physical fight with Harry in 2013, which left the 65-year-old with a "bloody nose". Although Andrew has not spoken out on this claim, a statement was recently released from the Sussexes. It read: "I can confirm Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have never had a physical fight, nor did Prince Andrew ever make the comments he is alleged to have made about the Duchess of Sussex to Prince Harry."

The Duke of York also later reportedly made comments in regards to Meghan Markle. Andrew, who was often dubbed the late Queen's favourite son, is said to have told his nephew that he didn't see their marriage lasting for more than a month.

A source close to the Yorks has now told the Mail: "They're keeping a distance from [their] dad. The extent to how much the relationship can recover will depend on what further revelations, if any, emerge."

According to royal expert Ingrid Seward, Beatrice was a "daddy's girl" when she was a child and has, reportedly, found the claims particularly difficult.

Ms Seward said: "[Beatrice] has always been close to her father.

"But I'm not surprised they haven't come out and said anything in his defence. For his girls to show their solidarity publicly wouldn't benefit them in any way."