Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor 'unlikely to meet new grandchild'

Royal author Andrew Lownie, who wrote Entitled: The Rise And Fall Of The House Of York, told the Daily Mail: "It is unlikely Andrew will see his new grandchild except through FaceTime."

Despite reported pressure from their husbands – whose families are said to be "appalled by the activities of the former Duke and Duchess of York" – Mr Lownie maintains that both princesses remain torn by a devotion to their mother and father.

"The daughters are walking a tightrope torn between residual loyalty to their parents and pressure from their husbands," he said.

Speculation about the state of Beatrice and Edoardo's marriage has also intensified in recent months, with sources suggesting the Epstein revelations have driven a wedge between the couple.

One source told the newspaper: "Things haven't been great for a while between them, but Beatrice has been determined to soldier on and forge a path through."

"She wants to stay together, but he seems more and more distracted by work and travel. Just when she needs him most, he's been pulling away."

Edoardo himself responded publicly to the claims during a rare question-and-answer meeting, where he defiantly stated his "biggest luxury" was his family, adding that relaxation comes down to "time with family and friends."

Princess Eugenie gave birth to her third child earlier this week

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As for Beatrice, Eugenie and Ms Ferguson, Mr Lownie maintains that the close "tripod" relationship that was once proudly described has not entirely collapsed.

"There has been plenty of scandal over the years and the daughters have not cut themselves loose largely because they are cut from the same cloth and very much under the thumb of their mother," he observed.

Relations with their father, however, grow more strained with each fresh disclosure.

The rift in the York family deepened following the release of millions of documents linked to billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein, who took his own life in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has been living in exile on the King's Sandringham Estate, after being booted out of Royal Lodge, his home of more than 20 years.

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in regard to Epstein.

Ms Ferguson has also hidden from the spotlight following fresh revelations linking her to the convicted paedophile in the files released by the United States Department of Justice.

Speaking to the Evening Standard on March 7, 2011, the former Duchess of York expressed deep regret over her association with Epstein.

"I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf," she said, after it emerged she had accepted roughly £15,000 from him.