Prince Harry Can Discreetly ‘Gauge the Mood of the Royal Family’ Through This Relative
Prince Harry can rely on his cousin, Princess Eugenie, to take the British royal family’s temperature. A royal expert says all the Duke of Sussex, 40, has to do to learn how his estranged relatives are doing is check in with Eugenie, 34.
Harry can check in on the royal family through Princess Eugenie
Although he and his brother, Prince William, 42, haven’t spoken in years, Harry can still get updates on his life and that of their father, King Charles III, 75. Not from checking out the royal family’s social media—although that’s certainly a possibility—but rather from asking his cousin, Eugenie, how William and the king are doing.
“Eugenie undoubtedly does have something of a challenge on her hands to maintain good relationships with both Harry and Meghan—and the rest of the Royal Family,” Bond told OK! Magazine. “But I think the King is probably happy that Harry still has at least one royal cousin he clearly trusts, and presumably wants to see more of.”
“However, I think it’s a positive thing that Charles does have someone he can quietly ask about Harry’s well-being if he is so inclined. And Harry can presumably gauge the mood of the family via Eugenie.”
“Any reconciliation—which at this stage still seems unlikely—has to start somewhere and with someone,” she added. “And that person could possibly be Eugenie. But don’t hold your breath.”
Harry hasn’t seen his father since February 2024 when he rushed to London, England, following the king’s cancer diagnosis announcement. As for William, he and Harry both attended an August 2024 memorial service for a Spencer family relative but reportedly didn’t speak.
Portugal home buy means Eugenie is still Harry’s ‘link’ to the royal family
As for Harry and Meghan Markle’s reported Portugal vacation home purchase, Bond thinks the pair could become even closer to Eugenie while also maintaining a royal “link.” She and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, split their time between Portugal and the U.K. because of the latter’s job.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex haven’t confirmed they’ve bought a home there. Reports say they’ve acquired a place at a resort dubbed the “Hamptons of Portugal” about an hour outside the country’s capital.
“It perhaps suggests that they do want their children to know at least some of their U.K. family,” the former BBC royal commentator said in reference to Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. “It will be good for Archie and Lilibet to spend time with their little cousins. And Eugenie will remain an important link between Harry and the rest of his family.”
At the very least, Bond added, buying a vacation home in Portugal points to Harry and Meghan “spend[ing] more time on this side of the Atlantic.”
Eugenie is in a ‘difficult spot’ because she’s close to Harry
Sure, the royal cousins are seemingly on their way to spending more time together but Eugenie’s still in a “difficult spot.” She hasn’t cut ties with Harry and Meghan like others have.
So, as an insider claimed in a previous report, she has to carefully navigate her relationship with everyone on both sides of the rift. “Eugenie is in a difficult spot because she’s always been close to Harry,” the source said. “But she is extremely mindful that this relationship could rock the boat with the rest of her family. It’s a rather precarious position for her to be in and one that requires a delicate balancing act.”
