Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie could take over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal duties following the couple’s decision to “step back” from their senior roles, a royal biographer has revealed. 

Robert Lacey, a renowned biographer and the historical consultant for Netflix series The Crown, says that the sisters are the most likely candidates to fill the the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s shoes.

“It's quite clear that one of the consequences is that Beatrice and Eugenie will now be brought forward – if they're willing to be brought forward,” Lacey told HELLO! magazine. 

“If two go out, two have got to come in, and those two have got to be Beatrice and Eugenie.”

The royal expert went on to explain that Prince Andrew’s daughters are the most obvious choice and that if they do choose to step forward they would be “greatly welcomed”.

“It's what the family needs as it's another 15 years before Prince George's generation steps up,” Lacey added.

“It's ironic that Harry mentioned his cousins as models of how he wants to be.”

Currently, Beatrice and Eugenie are not considered to be senior, working royals, meaning that they do not carry out royal duties full time on behalf of the Queen, despite being both ninth and tenth in line to the throne, respectively. 

In fact, Beatrice and Eugenie both hold full time jobs and do not receive checks from Sovereign Grant, the government-supported fund that finances Queen Elizabeth II's official duties.

Princess Beatrice has used her BA in History from Goldsmiths to work in finance and consulting. Most recently, she has worked at venture capital firm Sandbridge and software company Afiniti, where she is currently employed as the Vice President of Partnerships & Strategy.

Meanwhile, Princess Eugenie used her art history and English literature degrees from Newcastle University to work for an online auction firm before becoming a director at the London art gallery Hauser & Wirth.

The two sisters also serve as a patrons to a number of non-profit organisations including Street Child, Teenage Cancer Trust and The Anti-Slavery Collective. 

Lacey’s comments follow the news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have decided to step back from their senior roles within the royal family. 

The move prompted the Queen to organise a crisis summit regarding the couple’s future roles, where it was decided there would be a “period of transition” which will see them living in Canada and the UK.

In a statement, the Queen said that the royal family “respect and understand” their “desire to create a new life as a young family”.

Shortly after, Buckingham Palace issued an additional statement in which it confirmed that Harry and Meghan will no longer receive public funding or be able to use their HRH titles.

“As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from royal duties, including official military appointments.

"They will no longer receive public funds for royal duties,” the statement read.

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