12 March, 2026
Sean Coughlan
Royal Correspondent
Welcome to Royal Watch. The royals are trying to keep things as business as usual, despite the continuing storm of stories about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. It’s going to be a challenge for them to change the narrative, but they were back together at the annual Commonwealth Day service on Monday.
Queen Camilla continued her campaigning over tackling violence against women and girls. And Princess Eugenie stepped down from a charity role as the fallout from her father’s scandal continues. If you’d like to get in touch, you can do so at royalwatch@bbc.co.uk.
King praises Commonwealth as force for good
The King and Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales attended the annual Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey in London this week, in what was the biggest gathering of senior royals since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor last month.
In his message, King Charles praised the unifying force of the 56 Commonwealth nations against a background of conflict and a “fragmented world”.
The King and Queen were given a cricket bat by retired Antiguan cricketer Viv Richards. Credit: Getty Images
This is always a lively service, with music and dancing along with prayers and readings. And this year attendees included famous guests such as pop star Geri Halliwell and dancer Oti Mabuse.
There was also a protest outside the Abbey, with demonstrators waving banners asking what the royals knew about Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Protesters outside the event called for the abolition of the monarchy. Credit: EPA
Among the questions facing Commonwealth leaders is whether to remove Andrew from the line of succession, where he remains as eighth in line to the throne. As well as legislation in UK Parliament, his removal would require the consent of the 14 Commonwealth realms that have the King as head of state, as it would also affect their lines of succession.
It’s still a difficult moment for the royals, as they try to keep going and carry out their public duties, but with the Andrew scandal casting a long shadow, that mood shows no signs of shifting.
Royal quiz
Prince William was in Cornwall for St Piran’s Day, serving pasties and meeting communities affected by Storm Goretti. According to legend, what did an angry king do to St Piran?
A. Sent him into exile on a remote island
B. Threw him into the sea tied to a millstone
C. Locked him in a tower on the coast
Read further down for the answer.
Queen’s support for survivors of sexual violence
Queen Camilla has been a long-standing campaigner against violence against women and girls. She’s repeatedly challenged the taboos around talking about domestic violence.
She raised the topic of abuse against women again at a reception at St James’s Palace to mark International Women’s Day.
The Queen also called for more positive influences on young men. Credit: Reuters
There wasn’t a specific mention of Epstein, but her comments were seen as a coded reference and a show of support for the late sex offender’s victims.
“To every survivor of every kind of violence, many of whom have not been able to tell their stories or who have not been believed, please know that you are not alone,” said the Queen.
“We stand with you and alongside you, today and every day, in solidarity, sorrow and sympathy,” she told guests, who included actors Dame Helen Mirren and Miriam Margolyes, and Lady Cherie Blair, barrister and wife of former PM Tony Blair.
Read more on the Queen’s speech
Princess Eugenie leaves anti-slavery charity
The future roles of Andrew’s daughters – Eugenie and Beatrice – have been the subject of speculation. Will they carry on within the royal fold, as princesses welcome at royal events? Or will they be eased out?
The daughters have kept their titles, while titles have been taken away from their parents, Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. But it’s not so easy to keep away from the Epstein scandal that’s overtaken the York family.
And this week, with the scandal still rumbling, it emerged that Eugenie had stepped down as patron for a long-established charity, Anti-Slavery International.
Princess Eugenie was patron of Anti-Slavery International for seven years. Credit: Getty Images
The Charity Commission is also assessing questions raised about a separate charity, the Anti-Slavery Collective, co-founded by Eugenie. That includes looking at reports that the charity spent more on its salaries than on its charity programmes. The charity has not responded to the BBC’s request for a comment.
Last year, a number of charities distanced themselves from the princesses’ mother, Sarah, in the wake of revelations about her links with Epstein.
Your Royal Watch
Last week, we asked if you’d seen any AI-generated videos featuring members of the Royal Family, whether you knew they weren’t authentic straight away and if you thought such videos could pose a threat in the future.
Lots of you got in contact to say you had come across fake AI videos and images of the Royal Family online. Lynette from New Zealand said she had seen them “quite frequently” but “can always tell they are fakes”.
Mary from Illinois said she’d seen a few videos “portraying either private moments with family or outlandish scenarios” and “knew immediately they couldn’t be real”.
Liliana from Argentina said she had noticed many fake pictures mainly centred around William and Catherine. “Some are easy to detect because they are too good to be true,” she said.
Claudia and Dorian from Romania said that while they hadn’t seen any AI-generated images or videos, they knew enough about the Royal Family to “not be misled” if they did.
Commenting on the damage AI-generated content might cause for the royals, Sandra from Taiwan wrote in to say she thinks they “will cause misunderstanding and confusion”.
And Huriye from London questioned how the creators of the content are “able to get away with it”.
This week, we want to know if you agree with King Charles that the Commonwealth can be a “force for good”. Do you think it’s still important for fostering diplomacy among participating nations? Or is it an outdated concept? Please send your thoughts to royalwatch@bbc.co.uk, and remember to tell us where you’re writing from.
A piece of royal history
One of the world’s biggest and most famous dog shows has wrapped up for another year, with nearly 19,000 canines taking part at Crufts in Birmingham. Queen Elizabeth II, who owned more than 30 corgis during her reign, attended the event in 1969 when it was held in London.
Credit: Getty Images
The Royal Family’s connection to Crufts dates back to its beginnings. Queen Victoria entered the inaugural show in 1891, where her collie Darnley II and two of her pomeranians won awards.
See Crufts’ history in pictures
Don’t miss
Late Queen’s Scottish home to open to visitors
Private rooms used by Queen Elizabeth II at the Palace of Holyroodhouse will open to the public to mark the centenary of her birth.
Meghan to appear at £1,400 per person ‘girls’ weekend’
The three-day event in Sydney will take place during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s trip to Australia in April.
Lib Dems urge King to call off visit to US over Iran
Sir Ed Davey said the visit, reportedly planned for April, would hand a “huge diplomatic coup” to the US president.
Answer
B. According to Cornish legend, St Piran was an Irish holy man who served as an adviser to King Aengus of Munster. After rebuking the king for his immorality, St Piran was thrown into the sea. The sea calmed, and he floated across to Cornwall, landing on the beach at Perranporth. He became the patron saint of tin miners. See more from this year’s celebrations.
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