Prince William keeping princesses Beatrice and Eugenie ‘on ice’ until he becomes King

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are being “kept on ice” ready for Prince William’s ascension to the throne, royal-watchers believe.

The sisters are not currently working members of the royal family, but it’s thought William could change all that when he eventually succeeds King Charles.

There are a swag of royal hangers-on, but only a select few are “working royals”, senior members of The Firm whose job it is to shake hands, cut ribbons and launch ships on behalf of the monarchy.

With Harry and Meghan out of the running, Ingrid Seward, royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, believes the heir to the throne will promote his cousins and bring them into the fold.

“When William ascends the throne, Beatrice, 36, and Eugenie, 35, will be valuable assets, and I’m certain they will get involved with royal duties. It makes perfect sense, because he will need them,” Ms Seward told HELLO!

“I see them as a sort of double act, working together in the same way as married couples do. Two gorgeous Princesses working together as sisters would be very powerful. I think it would be wonderful, and I think it will happen.”

Beatrice and Eugenie are the daughters of King Charles’ brother Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess and Duchess of York.

Beatrice is ninth in line for the throne, while Eugenie is twelfth.

The pair, who are very close, do not carry out official royal duties but often step in in an unofficial capacity at key events.

Eugenie is one of seven counsellors of state appointed to step in on behalf of the King if he is sick or overseas.

At Charles’ behest the monarchy has been operating with a “slimmed-down” roster of senior royals after the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

But Ms Seward thinks that will change under William.

“I think they would be open to doing more, because they like to give back,” Ingrid says. “They have always been close to William, and the King is very fond of them too.

“Having slimmed down the monarchy, I don’t think (Charles) will change his mind, so I think he will leave it to William to bring them into the fold. I think they’re being kept on ice.

“I see them taking on the sort of role that Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Kent had when they were younger, working very hard doing philanthropic work, but not taking centre stage.”

Royal commentator Richard Eden has previously said William was “starting to see the value” of his cousins and their potential long-term contributions to the monarchy.

“They’re doing more and more. They’re private duties really, in terms of charity work, but I think Prince William and his father are noticing this and appreciating it,” he wrote in the Daily Mail.