IT’S a shame that Princess Beatrice and her sister Eugenie’s attempt to get public sympathy about their roles has failed miserably.

The Queen’s grand-daughters gave an interview to Vogue magazine saying how hard it was to carve out careers as princesses and how hurtful some of the public criticism had been.

Sadly, while this may well be true they still come across as over-privileged and slightly remote. All those pampered holiday pictures and conspicuous wealth just remove them further from ordinary people’s sympathy.

Perhaps a lesson from their cousin Zara Tindall on artlessly winning public approval is worth a go?