“Yes, they are daughters of Andrew but his misdemeanours are not their fault and they are high up in the line of succession.
“Many organisations and charities are crying out for a royal patron and would welcome them. They already have 30 or so between them so why not a few more?
“They are both pleasant intelligent women who are now wives and mothers with experience of life.
“Beatrice and Eugenie are grandchildren of the late Queen and as such would get a lot of respect from the public.”
In Charles and Kate’s absence Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have been carrying out engagements, but Mr Dampier suggested that Lady Louise Windsor, 20, and James, Earl of Wessex, 16, could also help out.
He added: “I can also see a role for the children of Edward and Sophie, Louise and James.
“With the King and Princess of Wales battling cancer and with Harry and Meghan and Prince Andrew off the scene, the slimmed-down monarchy is looking a bit thin.
“The late Queen and Prince Philip had over 1,500 patronages between them and most of them have not now got a royal patron.
“I don’t see any reason why Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie couldn’t step up and take on some of those charities and organisations.
“We can’t ask the older royals like Princess Anne and the Gloucesters to do more at their age so young blood is needed.”
One barrier to the sisters taking on royal duties is that they both have children of their own and individual professional careers.
