Princess Beatrice's intriguing five-word comment about mum Sarah Ferguson

Princess Beatrice once made a surprising comment about her mum Sarah, Duchess of York, just months before this latest scandal. Just last week, it was revealed that the Duchess had emailed convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2011 after he was released from prison for child sex offences.

In the email, Sarah apologised to the late Epstein, who she referred to as her "supreme friend", for disowning him in an interview. Although a spokesperson for the Duchess said she only sent the email out of fear that Epstein was going to sue her for defamation, it has still resulted in reputational damage for the Duchess.

While the revelation of such an email has taken many people around the world by surprise, it is believed to have also surprised her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, with reports suggesting that it has broken the trust between them.

The email is also likely to have surprised Beatrice as she once claimed her mother was always very honest with her and Eugenie, saying in an intriguing five-word statement earlier this year: "There were never any secrets."

Appearing on the Lessons From Our Mothers podcast, hosted by Prince Harry's ex Cressida Bonas and her half-sister Isabella Branson, in May, Beatrice and Eugenie heaped praise on their mum.

It was in this podcast that they claimed the Duchess had taught them to be "open" and honest.

Beatrice said of her mother in the podcast: "She would sort of channel us to be really open. There were never any secrets. That's really important as well... It forced Eug and I into a communication point, especially over silly childhood fights."

This comment came just months before this latest scandal.

While neither Beatrice or Eugenie have commented on their mum's predicament, a royal expert believes that the sisters will find the situation "devastating", especially as it could see Sarah moved even further out of the royal fold.

Speaking to Express.co.uk last week, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said: "It is highly unlikely that either Andrew or Sarah will be seen at the forthcoming royal Christmas or at future royal Easter Services.

"Beatrice and Eugenie will find their parents' predicament devastating."