Princess Eugenie is ‘in a very difficult position’ as she tries to balance Christmas invitations from both Prince Harry and King Charles, it has been reported.
Harry, 40, and his wife Meghan Markle, 42, have reportedly invited the 34-year-old royal and her family to spend time with them in California over the holidays.
However, Eugenie, her husband Jack Brooksbank, and their two children, August and Ernest, will also be expected to join Charles, 76, and the rest of the Royal Family for its annual Christmas celebration at Sandringham.
A source reportedly told The Express: ‘Harry and Meghan have invited Eugenie and Jack to join them in California during the holidays.
‘It’s a very difficult position for Eugenie because she has also been invited to Sandringham.’
Eugenie has routinely found herself trying to balance her conflicting loyalties to different members of the royal family, following Harry and Meghan’s unceremonious exit from The Firm.
Now, she is reportedly considering joining her cousin Prince Harry and close friend Meghan in the US closer to New Year’s eve – while still spending time with Charles, Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales – to ensure everyone is happy.
While nurturing her relationship with the Wales, Eugenie is also reportedly keen for her two sons, August, three, and Ernest, one, to spend time with Harry and Meghan’s children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.
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Harry, 40, and his wife Meghan Markle (not pictured) have reportedly invited the 34-year-old royal (above) and her family to spend time with them in California over the holidays.
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Britain’s Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank leave after attending the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Monday, Dec. 25, 2023
While Harry has invited his fair share of criticism following ‘Megxit’ and his subsequent falling-out with the royal family – marked by explosive interviews and a tell-all memoir – Eugenie has been fiercely loyal to her cousin.
Despite being born five years apart, Harry and Eugenie often spent time together as children thanks to the friendship between their mothers Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson, who would pack up the children for joint family holidays.
Eugenie was the only member of the Royal Family to feature in personal photos shared in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary released last year in a testament to their closeness.
One sweet snap of Andrew’s daughter in the second episode shows the pair out for a bike ride along a palm tree-lined stretch of pavement in California.
The docuseries also included pictures of Harry and Meghan partying with Eugenie and Jack – who is reportedly close to the Duke – on Halloween.
Eugenie was also the first member of the Royal Family to publicly visit Harry in California, two years after he quit senior duties.
The pair were photographed watching the Super Bowl at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, shortly after the news broke that Prince Harry was working on a bombshell, tell-all memoir about his life in the royal family.
At the time, a source told MailOnline: ‘Harry and Eugenie have always been close ever since they were children. He always makes her laugh. They share a sense of humour.
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Eugenie was the only member of the Royal Family to feature in personal photos shared in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary released last year in a testament to their closeness
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Eugenie was also the first member of the Royal Family to publicly visit Harry in California, two years after he quit senior duties, when the pair were photographed at the Super Bowl
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared previously unseen photographs as they partied with Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank on Halloween in their Netflix documentary
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In another snap from their big night out, Meghan could be seen posing for a playful selfie with Princess Eugenie
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A photo of Jack and Harry at their seats seemed to show them enjoying a conversation during the ceremony – demonstrating their ‘bromance’
‘She is friends with Meghan too, and was close to his two previous girlfriends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas,’ they continued.
‘It was Eugenie who helped set up Harry and Cressida. She refuses to abandon him. She is a very loyal lady. She is not one for taking sides.’
Not only is Eugenie close to Harry but she also enjoys a friendship with his wife Meghan that began before the Suits star met her royal beau.
Eugenie and Harry were also spotted chatting up a storm at King Charles’s Coronation in May 2023 – an undeniably tense affair for the Duke of Sussex.
Royal experts predicted that Prince Harry might have a lonely time at his father’s big day, with members of The Firm choosing not to speak with him.
However, as photos from the event show, Harry, who attended without his wife, had at least one good friend on hand.
Meanwhile, Eugenie also has a strong bond with Prince William – despite his ongoing feud with Prince Harry, who accused his older brother of physically attacking him over an argument about Meghan.
Eugenie appeared closer than ever with the future King, when they were spotted chatting at the Royal Ascot in Berkshire earlier this year.
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Prince William (right) shared a joke with his younger cousin, Princess Eugenie (left), on the second day at the Royal Ascot
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The Prince of Wales grinned playfully at Eugenie who attempted to cling onto her thick pink tassel
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Princess Eugenie was also seen deep in conversation with Carole Middleton before the races got underway (pictured)
William was spotted teasing his younger cousin about her choice of headgear for the event during a light-hearted, playful moment between the pair.
Elsewhere, Eugenie was also seen chatting with Kate’s mother Carole Middleton, following the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Both Beatrice and Eugenie were also praised for showing ‘unquestionable solidarity’ with William in the wake of Harry’s move to the US.
Leading royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline that the sisters’ presence at William’s first Garden Party of 2024 – without Kate by his side – was ‘unquestionably a show of solidarity with the heir to the throne who is currently not on speaking terms with his errant brother’.
In a skilled display of diplomacy, Eugenie and Beatrice also showed their support for Kate as they arrived for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in December 2022 – at the same time that Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary was being released.
Eugenie was, however, notably absent from Kate’s Together at Christmas service at Westminster Abbey last week – when the future Queen undertook her most high-profile engagement since completing cancer treatment.
Kate’s comeback carol service was atttended by swathes of royals but it is understood Eugenie’s absence is likely because of her decision to split her time between the UK and Portugal.
However, she wasn’t alone in skipping the event, with the King and Queen also absent.
