In a revelation that has caught many by surprise, Princess Eugenie has disclosed that she has never met Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children, despite visiting their Montecito mansion several times.
This comes as a shock, given the close relationship she and Prince Harry have shared over the years. Princess Eugenie, who is 12th in line to the British throne, has long been regarded as one of Harry's closest allies within the royal family. Their bond, which began in childhood, led many to believe that Eugenie would be one of the few family members to stay close to the Sussexes after their dramatic exit from royal duties.
However, in a recent interview, Princess Eugenie contradicted this assumption by revealing that, despite Prince Harry's earnest efforts to involve her in his new life in California, she has yet to meet his children. She stated that Harry had repeatedly invited her to visit California to meet his kids, but she had ultimately chosen to decline. Princess Eugenie cited the growing rift within the royal family as the primary reason for her decision, explaining that she felt conflicted between her loyalty to her cousin and her commitment to the broader royal family. To preserve her own integrity and avoid exacerbating the existing tensions, she opted to maintain her distance.
Princess Eugenie's admission has raised eyebrows, as it challenges the carefully curated image of a supportive and united royal family that the Windsors have tried to present in the wake of the Sussexes' departure. This new development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing tensions within the royal family, and it remains uncertain how it will affect future relations among its members.
In recent years, the relationship between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the British royal family has undergone significant changes. A bond that was once strong, particularly with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, has reportedly become strained, with a noticeable distance forming between the Sussexes and the York sisters. Several factors have contributed to this growing rift, including public disputes and security concerns that have prevented private visits to England.
According to sources, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have reaffirmed their commitment to the royal family, which has created a divide between them and Prince Harry and Meghan. One source revealed to The Express that both Beatrice and Eugenie have firmly aligned themselves with the royal family, and their communication with the Sussexes has become increasingly infrequent. "They are nowhere near as close as they once were," the source noted, highlighting the growing tension between the families.
The strained relationship reportedly worsened after remarks made by the sisters' mother, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, in an interview with The Telegraph in March 2023. Ferguson claimed she "doesn't really know Meghan" and had not met her extensively, a statement that contradicted the Sussexes' previous assertions that Ferguson had taught Meghan how to curtsy to the late Queen. This discrepancy reportedly sparked confusion and disappointment from Harry and Meghan. The source elaborated on the impact of Ferguson's comments, stating, "Sarah taught Meghan how to curtsy, and there have been other meetings. Both Harry and Meghan were quite surprised by Sarah's comments and couldn't understand why she would distance herself like that." This has reportedly added to the growing distance between the two families.
Historically, Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, maintained a close relationship with Harry and Meghan. Eugenie has always shared a strong bond with her cousin, Prince William, while Jack was known for his camaraderie with Harry. However, recent developments have affected these relationships as well. A source mentioned that Eugenie and Jack are now very cautious about what they say to friends, as they do not want to be perceived as speaking ill of Harry or Meghan. "There's still a friendship there, but it's not the close family bond they had before Harry moved to America," the source added.
As the dynamics within the royal family continue to evolve, the once-tight-knit relationships between the Sussexes and the York sisters have undoubtedly changed. While a semblance of friendship remains, the deep familial connections have grown more distant, reflecting the broader shifts within the British royal family.
