Fact Check: No, UK's Princess Beatrice didn't cut ties with family after DNA test revealed 'true paternity'
Claim:
Britain's Princess Beatrice cut ties with the British royal family after a DNA test revealed her true paternity.
Rating:
A rumor that circulated online in May 2025 claimed Britain's Princess Beatrice, the elder daughter of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, cut ties with the British royal family after a DNA test revealed her true paternity. Beatrice is ninth in the line of succession to the British throne.
Searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo revealed users primarily sharing this rumor in at least dozens of YouTube videos. For example, on May 17, a manager of the Retro Discovery YouTube channel (@RetroDiscoverys) published an advertisement-filled video displaying the title, "Princess Beatrice Cuts All Ties After Shocking DNA Reveals Her True Paternity." The thumbnail image also allegedly showed Queen Camilla kissing Andrew, along with the text, "Camilla is your mother." That one clip received over 371,000 views, as of this writing. Other users also reposted content about the rumor from YouTube on Facebook (archived) and TikTok (archived).
(Image courtesy of Retro Discovery/YouTube)
However, those same searches of the four search-engine websites also found no news media outlets reporting about Beatrice cutting ties with family or receiving "shocking" DNA test results about her purported "true" father. Rather, the rumor was simply the latest in a long line of YouTube videos featuring fabricated stories and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated voice narration about prominent figures in the entertainment business and politics — as well as anyone associated with the royal family — all for the goal of YouTube monetization via ad revenue.
While the Retro Discovery channel's video and description did not include any disclaimers about its story, the channel's bio features a disclaimer about the inauthentic nature of its content, reading in part:
The content presented in our videos, descriptions, and thumbnails is not intended to be interpreted as factual or definitive evidence regarding any topics discussed. We make no claims about the actions or behavior of individuals or entities mentioned in the video. The material is speculative in nature, based on internet gossip, and is provided solely for entertainment and discussion purposes. It should not be used to draw conclusions, take action, or imply wrongdoing by anyone featured in or outside the video.
If any part of our content is found to be misleading, false, or offensive, please reach out to us directly, and we will address the issue promptly. By consuming our content, you agree that we are not responsible for any misinformation, harm, or damages resulting from its use. Always approach information critically and verify its accuracy before accepting it as truth.
The bio's writer asks users to "reach out" if "content is found to be misleading, false, or offensive," claiming that they "will address the issue promptly." However, the bio did not display any contact information for users to alert the channel's managers of such content, or for Snopes to ask questions about the false rumor.
YouTube creators publishing similar content also uploaded other ad-filled videos in May featuring different members of the royal family alongside fabricated DNA-test rumors. Some of those titles included, "Prince Harry COLLAPSES In Court After DNA Test Results Of Archie Turns Out Shocking," "Prince William Cuts All Ties After DNA RESULT Reveal His True Paternity" and "Queen Camilla's Son Cuts All Ties After Shocking DNA Reveal His True Paternity." If any such news had truly occurred, news media outlets around the world would have rushed to cover the matter.
The opening clip in the Retro Discovery YouTube video — prior to the start of the AI-generated narrator voice — shows Beatrice in a sit-down interview saying the words, "And I think at that stage, those moments of doubt just pop into your head. I'm not good enough. I'm not smart enough. Why am I not like the others?" However, this interview had nothing to do with a DNA test about her parents. Instead, the clip originated in a video on the Made By Dyslexia YouTube channel, and showed Beatrice opening up about her dyslexia diagnosis.
In 2023, People.com published more information about Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, both living with dyslexia.
For further reading, a previous fact check examined whether Prince William truly faced a £60 fine for taking his son, Prince George, out of school to go to a soccer game.
"Britain's Princess Beatrice Gives Birth to Second Daughter." The Associated Press, 29 Jan. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/princess-beatrice-baby-athena-3a8b4334d23977af4b86d5b6731bdefb.
Henni, Janine. "Princess Beatrice Says She Will Be 'Grateful' to Guide Her Kids If They Have Dyslexia." People.com, 3 Oct. 2023, https://people.com/princess-beatrice-grateful-guide-her-kids-dyslexia-edoardo-mapelli-mozzi-8346900.
"HRH Princess Beatrice Made By Dyslexia Interview." YouTube, Made By Dyslexia, 23 May 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrSV-rLaVCA.
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