Beatrice and Eugenie welcomed back in the fold by Mike Tindall: Ex-rugby ace led the way in greeting the York sisters and wrapped Edo in a bear hug

Peter Phillips’ wedding to Harriet Sperling highlighted how King Charles ‘regained control’ to welcome Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie back into the royal family after months of debate.

Days after a damning National Audit report revealed they hadn’t paid a penny for rent, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 36, attended the royal nuptials and Prince William went out of his way to make them feel comfortable.

A royal expert has claimed William, 43, appeared keen to maintain the ‘bond’ between himself and Beatrice when they came face-to-face outside All Saints Church in Gloucestershire – but no one was happier to see them than Mike Tindall.

Zara Tindall’s husband, one of the friendliest members of the royal family, rushed towards the ‘visibly nervous’ Beatrice and Eugenie to reassure them, greeting them with a smile and a hug.

The former England rugby player was the first to greet Beatrice, husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank as they walked to the door of the 11th-century church in Kemble on Saturday.

In the footage, Mike, 47, can be seen planting a warm kiss on Beatrice’s cheek and then sharing an intimate embrace with Edo. X users say, “Mike is a hugger.”

In another sweet moment, Jack’s handshake with Mike also turned into a bear hug before Zara’s husband greeted a smiling Eugenie, who is pregnant with their third child.

Eugenie is understood to be particularly close to Zara, Mike and their three children, as the young York princess can be seen joyfully hugging the couple’s 12-year-old daughter Mia in a separate clip.

Dressed in an all navy blue outfit and matching hat, Princess Eugenie put her arms around Mia outside the church in Gloucestershire, and the royal wedding undoubtedly brought back fond memories for the couple.

Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, attended their royal wedding in the Cotswolds, days after a damning National Audit report revealed they had not paid a penny for rent

Mia was Eugenie’s bridesmaid when she married British marketing executive Jack at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle eight years ago.

Eugenie and Beatrice attended the wedding of Princess Anne’s son Peter and his now wife Harriet, just hours after an ‘outrageous’ National Audit report was published which revealed they had been living rent-free in royal residences for years.

A body language expert has claimed the daughters of disgraced former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were visibly ‘nervous’ following the rent announcement, but it appears Mike has stepped in to calm nerves.

Judi James told the Daily Mail that even Prince William tried to show ‘love’ to Princess Beatrice when he kissed her on the cheek at their cousin’s wedding.

News that Beatrice and Eugenie, who are not royals, are living free of charge in the palace’s exclusive properties, comes in the wake of the Epstein scandal.

Before the wedding, the couple had already taken a step back from the spotlight following the fall of their parents (Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the disgraced former Duke of York) over their friendship with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

But despite the recent controversy, Prince William appeared keen to maintain his bond with his cousins ​​as he lovingly leaned in to kiss Beatrice at their wedding in Kemble yesterday.

According to body language expert Judi James, the kiss was ‘symbolic’ of William’s desire to show closeness to Beatrice.

‘Body language shows bonding and even a desire to show affection,’ Ms James said.

‘To create this cheek kiss he performs what is referred to here as a ‘disturbing act’, bending over and bending over with his back arched to reach the right height. William cranes his neck to place a kiss on Beatrice’s cheek.

‘This kiss was symbolic and meaningful from a royal perspective.’

According to Ms James, the kiss was the antithesis of William’s treatment of his uncle Andrew, whom he ignored during their last public appearance together.

Mrs. James added that William’s warmth was somewhat unrequited.

But Beatrice’s response seems mild here. He looks away, creating a distracted cheek kiss, and instead of smiling warmly in greeting, he purses his lips like a tense pantomime ritual.’

Beatrice and Mike also embraced warmly

Beatrice and Eugenie’s stand-off came hours after it was revealed the sisters had been secretly financed for years by their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and now their uncle, King Charles.

Former Liberal Democrat minister Norman Baker, a long-time critic of the royal finances, said: ‘The Royal Family is once again galvanizing the public.’

The York siblings had lived at St James’s Palace since 2008, before Eugenie moved into Ivy Cottage in the Kensington Palace grounds in 2018. Eugenie currently splits her time between London and her £3.6million Portuguese home.

Her neighbors are said to include F1 racing drivers and fashion designer Christian Louboutin.

Beatrice, 37, was staying in the flat she shared with her husband, property developer Edo Mapelli Mozzi, and his family, and also owned a multi-million pound home in the Cotswolds.

According to the report, both rents are paid to the Royal Household entirely by Charles from the Privy Purse, which consists of the revenues of the Duchy of Lancaster and other private funds. There was no taxpayer money at stake.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘We are grateful to the National Audit Office for this report, which is consistent with the Royal Household’s commitment to transparency.

‘We hope that the findings will help to correct, clarify or contextualise some points about the royal estates.

‘As set out in the report, regulations for properties managed by the Royal Household vary according to a number of factors that ensure proper occupancy of residences, depending on their location, tenants and purpose.’

A spokesman for the Crown Estate said: ‘The Crown Estate welcomes the National Audit Office’s review, which confirmed that leases with members of the Royal Family were agreed in line with independent, professional advice and open market valuations.’

Last weekend, NHS pediatric nurse Harriet said ‘I do’ to Peter Phillips at a ‘private wedding’ in the Cotswolds.

During the ceremony, NHS nurse Harriet was walked down the aisle by her brother Nicholas in honor of their late father, Mr Rupert Sanders.

She combined her eye-catching wedding dress with a square neckline and lace details with Jimmy Choo shoes and Pragnell earrings.

Her hair was tied up in an elegant bun to best showcase the sparkling crown she wore.

The service was officiated by the Rev Dr Steve Bullock of All Saints Parish Church and the marriage blessing and address was given by the Rev Nicky Gumbel.

Guests included the bride and groom’s parents and siblings, including Peter’s half-sister Stephanie Hosier and her husband William, and Peter and Stephanie’s father, Captain Mark Phillips, Princess Anne’s ex-husband.