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Following the sad but somewhat expected update that both Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will not be spending Easter with the Royal Family, an expert has dissected why the decision will "pain" King Charles, but equally, why it is crucial for him to "protect the monarchy's core brand."

As a result of the scandals involving their parents, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, the two York sisters have found themselves in the line of fire recently, despite no suggestion of wrongdoing on their part.

Examining why Beatrice and Eugenie will have decided not to attend the Royal Family's Easter Sunday service in Windsor, brand and culture expert Nick Ede exclusively told the Daily Express: "From a brand perspective, this feels less about Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie being 'toxic' and more about the Royal Family entering a period of hyper-curation.

"The monarchy is in a recalibration phase, and every public appearance is being scrutinised through the lens of trust and reputation."

Mr Ede continued: "Even if Beatrice and Eugenie are personally blameless, they are still adjacent to ongoing narratives the Palace is clearly trying to contain. In brand terms, they are tarnished. For the King, this is a delicate balancing act. King Charles has always shown himself to be deeply family-oriented, so this is unlikely to be a cold or casual decision.

"It's more a case of strategic distancing. He's protecting the monarchy's core brand at a time when it needs to feel streamlined and scandal-free. I am sure it pains him as he loves his family, and they have been caught in the line of fire."

Although not yet officially confirmed, the news that the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to attend the service again after two years away, is very telling, Mr Ede notes.

"The expected presence of Prince William and Catherine is quite telling as they represent the future of the Royal Family. Their attendance reinforces a narrative of continuity and control, and they won't want anything to do with the Yorks at this moment."

In the past, they have attended the service at St George's Chapel, Windsor with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. They did not attend last year as they spent the day privately in Norfolk, and they did not attend the year before as the Princess was undergoing treatment for cancer.

It is understood that the York sisters have made alternative plans for the Easter weekend, with the King's agreement and understanding.

It was also clarified that the pair have not been frozen out of the royal fold and will attend future family celebrations.

"Beatrice and Eugenie have actually been relatively well-regarded in recent years, seen as modern, professional and quietly loyal," Mr Ede adds. "The key for them will be to continue building individual identities separate from any lingering controversy, focusing on their careers and family lives."

As well as balancing successful careers and their lives as mothers, the two princesses both take part in personal charity work for causes close to their hearts - Beatrice for dyslexia organisations and Eugenie for spinal injury charities after she underwent corrective surgery for scoliosis when she was a teenager.

Following reports that Beatrice could copy her younger sister and decide to spend more time abroad, Mr Ede is clear that this could be a solution with consequences.

He said: "Moving abroad could offer them a degree of freedom and distance, but because of their parents and their damaged reputations, this will always be a cloud that lingers over them wherever they go."