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King Charles has granted Princess Beatrice a new royal role amid the continuing controversy surrounding her father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The Princess has been appointed Deputy Patron of The Outward Bound Trust, marking a significant step in her growing public duties.
The appointment comes six years after her father, the former Duke of York, stepped down as the Trust’s Royal Patron following the uproar over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
At a special event for The Outward Bound Trust’s supporters at St James’s Palace in London on Thursday, it was confirmed that Prince Edward will succeed Andrew Mountbatten Windsor as the charity’s new Royal Patron.
The announcement was made alongside the news of Princess Beatrice’s appointment as Deputy Patron. The organisation — dedicated to helping young people unlock their potential through outdoor learning and adventure — has long been close to the royal family’s heart.
Following Andrew’s resignation in 2019, the charity was supported by two Deputy Patrons, Sir Chris Bonington and Lord Kirkham, who helped uphold its mission during a challenging period of transition.
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As of Tuesday, the Duke of Edinburgh officially takes on the role of Royal Patron of The Outward Bound Trust, with Princess Beatrice serving as Deputy Patron.
In a statement, the charity expressed that it was “delighted” by the announcement, saying the appointments mark “the start of a new chapter in its mission to support a more adventurous generation — helping young people say yes to challenge and discover what they’re truly capable of.”
Beatrice has been a Trustee of the charity for six years, and both she and Prince Edward are continuing a royal legacy deeply tied to the organisation — one that began with the late Prince Philip, who was a devoted supporter of Outward Bound for decades.
At the heartfelt event in London, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice spent time speaking with students from Walsall Academy in the West Midlands, who shared inspiring stories from their recent Outward Bound adventure in the Lake District.
During the ceremony, 18-year-old Sadie presented Prince Edward with a rowan tree sapling, symbolising strength, courage and resilience, while her classmate Leo gifted Princess Beatrice a Celtic brooch, representing unity, continuity and good fortune.
Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of The Outward Bound Trust, said: “With The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice working alongside us, we’re embarking on a new chapter — one where every young person has the chance to test their limits, build confidence and discover that anything is possible. Their support reflects a shared belief that adventure changes lives.”
The event coincided with troubling news for Beatrice’s father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, who has been formally summoned to appear before the US Congress for questioning over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The request, issued just days after he was stripped of all his titles and honours, marks another dramatic turn in the ongoing scandal surrounding the disgraced royal.
