Becoming a parent is often considered to be one of life’s greatest gifts.
The arrival of a baby is a magical moment, and even the news that a baby is on the way can be extraordinary. This is certainly true for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who experienced the joy of parenthood with the arrival of their son, Archie, in 2019.
They had informed their close family about the news a year earlier, but the timing of their announcement was not ideal. According to Harry’s book, “Spare,” they revealed the news of Meghan’s pregnancy on a very special day of celebration: his cousin Princess Eugenie’s wedding.
In his tell-all memoir, Harry provided a glimpse into his life within the Royal Family and did not shy away from criticizing some of his family members. He claimed that he wasn’t welcomed at William and Kate’s home after the birth of his nephew, Prince George, and labeled Camilla as “dangerous.” He also detailed a physical altercation with his older brother and expressed his fears for William and Kate’s youngest children, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Despite his criticisms of some of his family members, Harry’s relationship with his cousin, Princess Eugenie, remained strong. They have been close friends since childhood, spending a lot of time together as their families went on holiday. While Harry and his brother, William, grew up at Kensington Palace in London and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, Princess Eugenie lived near Windsor Castle. In 1996, her parents divorced, but the two cousins remained close.
Over time, their bond grew stronger, and they continued to support each other privately. According to the Sussex biography “Finding Freedom,” Harry and Eugenie had many nights out together in London, sneaking into back entrances of clubs such as Mahiki and Tonteria. They connected over their shared difficulty of being members of the Royal Family, although there was one significant difference: Harry became a “working royal,” while Eugenie found another career path.
After attending Newcastle University, Eugenie graduated with a degree in English Literature and History of Art. She then moved to New York, where she worked for the auction house Paddle8. In 2015, she returned to Britain and began working at the art gallery Hauser & Wirth. “Princess Eugenie has joined Hauser & Wirth as an associate director, and we are delighted to have her as part of the team,” a spokesperson for the gallery said at the time.
Despite their different career paths, Harry and Eugenie remained close friends and confidants. The Duke trusted his cousin, and Eugenie was reportedly one of the first to know about Harry’s relationship with Meghan. Interestingly, Princess Eugenie already knew Meghan before Harry introduced them, as they had met through mutual friends in Toronto.
However, there was one incident that left many royal fans irritated. During Eugenie’s 2018 wedding, Harry and Meghan revealed the news of Meghan’s pregnancy to their close family members. While Harry had nothing bad to say about Eugenie, he did mention this incident in his book, which may have upset some fans.
Nevertheless, Harry and Eugenie’s long-lasting friendship is a testament to the fact that blood is thicker than water. Despite the challenges they have faced as members of the Royal Family, they have continued to support each other and maintain a close bond.
