Source: Prince Charles mocks Eugenie and Beatrice as ‘twits’

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Princesses Eugenie (left) and Beatrice of York arrive at the Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey last April. | Pascal Le Segretain~Getty Images

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Updated: December 23, 2011 8:10AM

Seems there’s a bit of rift in Britain’s royal family. According to a usually reliable palace source, Prince Charles and younger brother, Prince Andrew, are at odds over Andrew’s desire to expand the role of his daughters, Eugenie and Beatrice, in performing royal duties.

Charles, as they say, is not amused. The heir to the British throne reportedly thinks his nieces are “twits” and often makes scathing remarks about the two young women. His feelings are related to his lack of respect for Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, considered by Charles a long-running embarrassment for his family.

Apparently, after all that brouhaha over Princess Beatrice’s ridiculous hat at the April wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Charles made some extremely biting barbs about the girls having no taste, “just like their mother,” said my source.

† While Andrew is Queen Elizabeth’s favorite child, the prince has been in hot water, thanks to a number of questionable business associates — including American billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who spent 18 months in prison for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

That all contributed to Andrew being ousted as United Kingdom trade ambassador — and now he’s locked horns with his older brother over his daughters’ futures. “Andrew’s credibility right now, especially with his brother Charles, is at an all-time low,” added the source.

† On a happier note, Charles’ son Harry was spotted by BZ spies in Las Vegas over the weekend hanging out at the Wynn Hotel and partying at Tryst nightclub, where the prince was overheard raving about Vegas and how much he likes how “Americans know how to party.” Word has it, Harry’s people like to throw off the paparazzi by calling a bunch of restaurants and nightclubs — claiming the prince is headed there — then going someplace they never called.

One girl at Tryst asked Harry, “Is Kate pregnant?” He merely winked — adding more fuel to the rumors that his sister-in-law is in the early stages of a pregnancy.

STAR POWER: Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon will be the honoree next year at the Gene Siskel Film Center’s annual summer fund-raiser. The June 23 fete at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel will present Witherspoon with the center’s Renaissance Award and feature a Q&A with her led by a yet-to-be-announced special guest. R.S. Owens, the Chicago-based manufacturer of the Oscar statuettes, will create the award specifically for “A Summer Evening with Reese Witherspoon.”

SPLITSVILLE: Poor Jennifer Love Hewitt — she just can’t keep a man. The actress has split with latest beau Jarod Einsohn — on the heels of recent broken engagements to North Shore native Alex Beh, comedian Jamie Kennedy and actor Ross McCall. Word has it, Hewitt’s controlling nature eventually scares the guys away.

† Former “Bachelorette” duo Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez have called it quits just weeks after putting their wedding plans on hold yet again.

SPORTS SHORTS: On Twitter, Kristin Cavallari denied a Life & Style report that she again is engaged to Bears QB Jay Cutler, who dined Sunday night at Public House, broken thumb and all. ... Talking to PR pro Bernie DiMeo at Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush, John Lee, father and manager of Notre Dame’s All-American boxer Mike Lee, chatted up the Wheaton native’s Dec. 3 Madison Square Garden fight. … Ex-Bear Chris Zorich dined with a buddy at Viaggio Ristorante on West Madison. … While in town for an autograph show at the Stephens Convention Center, Reggie Jackson, Greg Maddux, Frank Robinson, Bill Russell and current Cardinals pitcher Jason Motte dined at Gibsons in Rosemont.

SICK BAY: Fans of Robin Gibb are praying the Bee Gees star will survive the fight of his life — a battle with liver cancer. The London Daily Mail reports the singer became aware of his condition several months ago.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: Star chef Rick Bayless checked out a preview of American Blues Theater’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Biograph — and even munched on the goodies offered after the show … Buddy Valastro, star of “Cake Boss” on TLC, was spied chowing down on those humongous signature Gibsons desserts — macadamia turtle pie and carrot cake — at the steakery’s Rosemont outpost.