Prince Harry and his cousin, Princess Eugenie, are reportedly no longer speaking to each other, according to recent claims. Sources speculate that the two have drifted apart in the years since Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties. This alleged distance emerged amid reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex traveled to Portugal this summer but did not meet with Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, who also have a home in the region.
"Harry and Meghan are not so close to Beatrice and Eugenie anymore, and Harry did not see Eugenie over the summer in Portugal," a source reportedly told Hello! magazine. The same source suggested that Prince Harry "has very few friends left from before" his move to the United States and will likely face a smaller social circle upon his return to Britain.
Representatives for both Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie did not immediately respond to requests for comment on these claims.
These reports come as news emerged that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to relocate to a private residence outside London with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. King Charles was reportedly informed of his son's impending return to the UK just three days prior to the announcement, while Prince William was also given advance notice.
Some royal experts suggest that the controversy surrounding Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice's parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, may have impacted the cousins' relationships. "However, Harry and Meghan won't want to be too close to the sisters as they are far too controversial because of their disgraced parents," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail. He added that the Sussexes may choose to maintain public distance.
Another royal expert, Duncan Larcombe, previously indicated a potential "divide" regarding support for Beatrice and Eugenie, suggesting neither Harry nor Meghan would want to be associated with Prince Andrew. Larcombe noted that while Harry has historically been close to his cousins, Meghan might be more concerned with the public perception of such associations.
Princess Eugenie was one of the first members of the Royal Family to publicly visit Prince Harry and Meghan in California after they stepped down as senior royals. She and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, were featured in the Sussexes' 2022 Netflix documentary.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their intention to step back as senior members of the Royal Family in January 2020, aiming for financial independence and a split time between the UK and North America. This decision was finalized by March 2020, when they established a permanent home in California. Their children, Archie and Lilibet, have reportedly been enrolled in British schools ahead of the family's anticipated return to the UK.
The Sussexes intend to maintain their homes in both California and Portugal. There are no current plans for them to resume working royal roles. Questions remain regarding potential taxpayer-funded security costs for the family during their time in the UK, a matter that has been the subject of legal disputes for Prince Harry following his relocation to the U.S.