Princess Beatrice looked "strained" by the fallout from her parents' Epstein scandal as she stepped out with sister Princess Eugenie in a rare joint appearance in London, a body language expert has claimed. Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 36, were spotted enjoying lunch in Mayfair, though the outing occurred amid continuing upheaval surrounding their parents, Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.

The sisters were observed walking through the capital following a meal at an exclusive establishment, with one witness stating they appeared "in great spirits as they made the most of the sunshine".

However, beneath the smiles, sources suggest the pressure of recent months has exacted a toll, particularly on Beatrice, who is thought to be grappling with balancing family loyalty alongside her standing within the Royal Family.

The sighting represents the first occasion the York sisters have been photographed together in London for months, following the scandal which consumed their family earlier this year, reports the Mirror.

Hours afterwards, Eugenie was spotted putting on a brave face as she departed for a date night with husband Jack Brooksbank in Notting Hill, beaming as the pair left a Michelin-starred restaurant. Body language analyst Judi James told the Mirror: "While Eugenie appears comfortable putting on a display of resilience and bravado for the cameras, sporting a wide wall-to-wall smile to suggest life is nothing other than perfect, her older sister Beatrice looks less able to bluff it out here, with her gestures and facial expression hinting that she has been hit hard by the fallout of her parent's dramas.

"Beatrice walks behind her sister here, dressed in a very drab black on a warm sunny day, with her choice of outfit suggesting a desire to avoid attracting attention.

"She has her large bag clamped to the front of her body in a barrier gesture, with one hand held over the front of the bag suggesting a desire to self-protect. In another photo she has her arms folded over her torso which could also be a sign of vulnerability.

"Her facial expression looks strained and unhappy here. Her eyes have a haunted expression, and her lips are clamped shut. Eugenie seems to try for a more carefree demeanor here, looking especially cheerful when she is walking next to her equally over-smiling husband Jack. "

Their father, Andrew, has withdrawn from public life, while their mother, Sarah Ferguson, has similarly maintained a low profile.

A royal insider previously disclosed that Beatrice has found herself "walking a tightrope", torn between offering support to her parents and preserving her own reputation, MailOnline reports. Meanwhile, Eugenie is understood to have adopted a more resolute position, though both sisters remain close and supportive of one another throughout this challenging time.

The public appearance follows months away from the spotlight for the pair, with both having largely shunned public engagements as the scandal continued to dominate headlines.

Despite the continuing fallout, the sisters are anticipated to carry on attending selected royal engagements, with insiders indicating that the King remains firmly supportive of his nieces. This is in spite of the pair's recent decision to forgo joining the King and others for Easter.