Princess Eugenie and Meghan Markle’s Friendship Explained

Here’s What We Know About Princess Eugenie & Meghan Markle’s Relationship

The British royal family has always intrigued the world with its mix of tradition, mystery, and closely guarded personal dynamics. Among the intricate network of relationships, the bond between Princess Eugenie and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, stands out as an intriguing friendship that has captured headlines and sparked conversation. While the royal sphere can often seem coldly familial, the closeness between Eugenie and Meghan offers a glimpse into what actual friendship looks like behind palace walls.

How Princess Eugenie & Meghan Markle First Connected

Unlike some royal relationships, the connection between Princess Eugenie and Meghan Markle was not forged strictly out of protocol. According to reports, their introductions occurred through mutual friends in London’s social scene, even before Meghan met Prince Harry. The early encounters showed a refreshing ease—both women had experiences growing up under public scrutiny, Eugenie as a princess and Meghan as an actress, and this likely laid the groundwork for a genuine rapport.

It is widely suggested that Eugenie and her now-husband, Jack Brooksbank, visited Harry and Meghan early into their courtship. This visit occurred before their respective marriages, hinting that Eugenie was among the first royals to embrace Meghan as more than an outsider.

• Reports indicated Princess Eugenie’s relationship with Prince Harry predates his romance with Meghan, giving her a unique ‘bridge’ role between Meghan and the rest of the family.
• Both Eugenie and Meghan are known for their friendly, down-to-earth personalities, which reportedly made their connection natural.

A Shared Sense of Separateness and Kinship

One compelling layer to their friendship is how both women have sometimes felt apart from the heart of royal tradition. Meghan, as a biracial American actress, faced intense media scrutiny and struggled with royal constraints. Eugenie, though born into the royal household, is not a ‘working royal’ and experienced her own share of being on the periphery of the family’s core celebrity spotlight.

This sense of being royal ‘outsiders’ reportedly fostered kinship. Both women have spoken about the pressure of public life, about wanting to make their own professional marks, and about the joys and strains that come with their public roles. Whether it’s fashion choices, charity initiatives, or navigating family events, Eugenie and Meghan often demonstrated parallel attitudes toward their roles—as independent yet respectful of tradition.

Royal Events: Allies in Major Milestones

One of the most visible marks of Eugenie and Meghan’s friendship has been their support for one another’s major life moments. This fact plays out in the tapestry of royal events, particularly their weddings, which occurred just months apart at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

• Meghan attended Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank in October 2018, stepping out only months after her own highly publicized royal union to Prince Harry in May 2018.
• The media closely tracked their appearances, outfits, and interactions, noting the camaraderie and joy at each other’s milestones.
• Despite press speculation that Eugenie may have wished for more attention at her wedding (since Meghan and Harry announced their pregnancy shortly after), Eugenie put forward only positivity about Meghan’s big news.

Through these shared moments, it became clear the two women supported each other’s happiness—regardless of shifting public perception or media-fueled drama.

Family Ties: Eugenie and Harry’s Close Bond

Much of Meghan and Eugenie’s rapport reportedly rests on the foundation of Eugenie’s close relationship with Prince Harry. The cousins have long been described as some of the closest among Queen Elizabeth’s grandchildren, known for a warm and occasionally playful dynamic at family gatherings and public events.

• Commentators have pointed out Eugenie’s willingness to visit Harry and Meghan in their early days, a gesture not all family members extended.
• The two couples reportedly enjoyed nights out together, unique even within the context of the royal family, which often adheres to a strict hierarchy and routine.
• When Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties, Eugenie reportedly reached out, showing support and friendship despite institutional rifts.

Parallel Royal Weddings: Friendly Rivalry or True Support?

The timing of Princess Eugenie and Meghan Markle’s milestone moments became a talking point for the press—especially with both women married at Windsor Castle within six months of one another. Rumors began swirling about supposed rivalries and jealousy, but a review of their public statements and appearances shows little evidence for these claims.

In reality, their weddings highlighted several points of connection:

Joint Public Appearances & the Royal Social Scene

Not all royal friendships involve glitzy red-carpet moments, but Eugenie and Meghan have been spotted together at pivotal social gatherings and family occasions. Notably, Eugenie was seen alongside Meghan and her friends during important Windsor events, as well as visiting Harry and Meghan in their private spaces.

• On occasions such as Trooping the Colour and royal charity galas, Eugenie, Meghan, and their husbands have presented a united front despite persistent rumors of family tensions.
• Their willingness to include friends from outside the royal circle—special guests ranging from designers to Hollywood acquaintances—also reflects a more modern, inclusive approach to royal life.

Modern Friendship in the Age of Media Scrutiny

Part of what makes Eugenie and Meghan’s friendship notable is how they’ve navigated relentless press attention. The British tabloids are notorious for stoking rumors and inflating minor moments into major drama. Yet, neither woman has publicly criticized the other, and there is evidence through off-the-record comments and subtle gestures that trust does exist between them despite the media glare.

Meghan, in interviews, has described her difficulty adapting to life behind palace walls but has also spoken fondly of support from certain royals—believed by commentators to include Eugenie. For her part, Eugenie has avoided fueling tabloid speculation, choosing discretion about her relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, especially amid “Megxit.”

Key Moments That Defined Their Relationship

• First meetings early in Meghan and Harry’s relationship, with Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank acting as early supporters and confidantes.
• Mutual support during major family milestones, such as their weddings at Windsor Castle.
• Public unity during appearances alongside shared friends (notably, Meghan’s frequent attendance with Eugenie at events featuring mutual friends like Misha Nonoo, a designer connected closely to Meghan).
• Continued ties despite Harry and Meghan’s move to the United States, with reports suggesting Eugenie and Jack have visited the Sussexes since their relocation.

Navigating Difficult Times: After ‘Megxit’

When Meghan and Harry stepped back from frontline royal duties, the ensuing family tensions were widely documented. Through this turbulent transition, Eugenie reportedly offered support, serving as a bridge between Harry, Meghan, and the rest of the Windsor family. Private meetings, whispers of ongoing group chats, and reported visits underline a resilient, if discreet, connection.

While many royal relationships have become strained post-Megxit, accounts of Eugenie and Meghan’s continued communication suggest both women are determined to write their own narratives—as both family and as friends.

FAQs: Princess Eugenie & Meghan Markle’s Friendship

Q: Were Princess Eugenie and Meghan friends before Meghan started dating Harry?

A: They reportedly met through mutual friends and built a cordial rapport even before Meghan became Harry’s partner, helped by the fact that Eugenie and Harry were already close cousins.

Q: Did Meghan upstage Princess Eugenie at her wedding?

A: While the Sussex pregnancy announcement came soon after Eugenie’s wedding, there is no public evidence indicating any animosity—public statements and appearances have shown only mutual respect.

Q: Does Eugenie still communicate with Meghan and Harry after their royal exit?

A: Reports suggest Eugenie and her husband have kept in touch, even visiting Harry and Meghan in the United States, strained family circumstances notwithstanding.

Q: What makes their friendship unique among the royals?

A: Both women are seen as ‘outsiders’ or more informal royals. Their bond, based on genuine warmth rather than protocol, is rare in the royal family’s public sphere.

Q: Has media scrutiny affected their friendship?

A: While tabloid coverage has spun many stories, both women have chosen a path of public discretion, never criticizing each other and showing support in times of difficulty.

Legacy: The Impact of Eugenie and Meghan’s Bond

In a royal world often defined by cautious alliances and unspoken boundaries, the friendship between Princess Eugenie and Meghan Markle represents both tradition and transformation. Their story is one of forging genuine connection amid global attention, supporting each other through life’s highest highs and most difficult transitions, and offering a new template for friendship within the world’s most famous family. As the royal landscape continues to evolve, this bond stands testament to the enduring value of empathy, support, and mutual respect beyond crowns and titles.