Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have opened up to British Vogue in a rare interview that sees Prince Andrew's daughters getting candid about royal life, wedding planning, social media and the criticism they've faced that's brought them to tears. "There was a horrible article that had been written about Beatrice and she got really upset," bride-to-be Eugenie revealed about a time when the sisters were at one of Buckingham Palace's famous garden parties. "We were just about to step out and she had a bit of a wobble and cried."

Living in the public eye comes with its share of difficulties, but the sisters are lucky to have one another for support, especially in moments when it all gets to be too much. "I was looking after her," Eugenie continued. "And then about an hour later, I had a wobble and started crying and Bea was there for me."

Even with the criticism they've faced, the upbeat pair tries to rise above the cruel words thrown their way and be positive forces in the world, through their careers and charity work. There's "no point being angry with anyone for beating us up – we just need to shine light and love in the world," they revealed.

The looks that seem to have brought the most scrutiny on Beatrice, 29, and Eugenie, 28, were their outfits at the royal wedding of their cousin Prince William and Kate Middleton. But as their style has evolved they've been nabbing rave reviews of late, from their elegant ensembles at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nuptials to chic frocks at Royal Ascot, the Met Gala and the Serpentine summer party. And it's at a particular royal wedding this fall – when Princess Eugenie says "I do" to Jack Brooksbank – that the two are sure to shine!

Despite the highs and lows, the sisters are taking it all in stride, and sharing tidbits of their lives on Eugenie's new Instagram feed. "We want to show people who we are as working, young, royal women, but also not to be afraid of putting ourselves out there," she explained. "Nowadays it's so easy to recoil when you see a perfect image on Instagram – but it's important that it's real. We're real."

See the full feature in the September issue of British Vogue, available on digital download and newsstands on Friday August 3