For a moment this year, it felt as though Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were on the brink of a full-fledged fashion renaissance. After years of being unfairly mocked for their early style missteps, the York sisters finally managed to reinvent themselves. 

At the start of the year, the duo reigned with striking confidence – stepping out in sleek tailoring, modern silhouettes and bold designer choices. Eugenie and Beatrice had critics, including myself, convinced they were about to eclipse even Princess Catherine.

Their style transformation was sharp, polished and unexpectedly powerful – finally positioning them as two of the best-dressed women in the royal orbit.

But just as their ascent reached its peak, the shadow of the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal fell heavily over the family, pulling the sisters out of the spotlight almost overnight, along with their mother, Sarah Ferguson.

The red carpets, the high-profile events, the headline-making outfits vanished – leaving a noticeable void in royal fashion coverage.

Now, as the new year approaches, their absence raises the question: will the York sisters reclaim their place in the royal style conversation, or has their fashion momentum been halted for good?

As a royal fashion expert, I’d argue there’s a glimmer of hope – a quiet but telling move that suggests their comeback could be closer than many think.

After embracing elegant, modern labels such as Self-Portrait, Rebecca Vallance and The Vampire’s Wife, Princess Beatrice, 37 and Princess Eugenie, 35, proved they were no longer the punchline of royal fashion but the pioneers of a more experimental, self-assured new era.

Their wardrobes became a celebration of colour, structure and individuality – bold yet refined, regal yet real, marking a striking evolution from the whimsical, at times chaotic, looks of their twenties.

Where once they were defined by fascinators and florals, and dubbed the ‘Ugly Sisters’, the girls began stepping out in clean lines, sculptural cuts and jewel tones that spoke to maturity and self-awareness.

It was as if they had both collectively rewritten the narrative – not as royal accessories, but as women shaping their own style story.

But royal fashion, much like royal favour, is as fragile as chiffon. When their father, Andrew, 65, was stripped of his titles and public duties, the sisters’ newfound spotlight dimmed in tandem. The public mood shifted; discretion replaced daring, and the girls retreated sartorially and socially into the background.

Gone were the glossy premieres and fashion week appearances. Instead, Beatrice and Eugenie adopted a more subdued uniform: navy, charcoal, soft greys and cautious tailoring.

The change was impossible to ignore – deliberate even. Their muted tones became a language of restraint, communicating poise at a time when words would have failed them.

It was a visual apology of sorts – not for their own actions, but for their proximity to scandal. Their fashion became armour, cloaked in composure, and it worked.

Still, beneath that understated exterior, there’s an undeniable pulse of ambition. And this week, that pulse flickered back to life.

As the sisters arrived for the annual pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, their smiles told a different story – one of resilience, unity, and a cautious return to form.

While their ensembles remained muted, there was an unmistakable sense of confidence. Their presence, at one of the most photographed royal gatherings of the year, signalled something quietly monumental: a re-entry into the royal fold.

It wasn’t just a family lunch; it was a message. The King’s decision to include them, extending the olive branch despite the turbulence surrounding their father, spoke volumes. It suggested that the York sisters are not to be sidelined or silenced, but reintroduced.