MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry’s “close bond” with Princess Eugenie sets her up as the perfect peacekeeper between Harry and William, it has been reported.
Eugenie has long been close with her first cousin and is said to have played a key role in Harry meeting Meghan.
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Meghan confirmed during her bombshell interview with Oprah that she and Eugenie had known each other before she met Harry.
Since then, Eugenie is said to have been a close confidante to Harry and brother William, the Evening Standard reports.
The royal has been living with her husband Jack Brooksbank at the Sussexes’ former property Frogmore Cottage on the Queen’s Windsor estate since giving birth to her first son, August.
The home was gifted to Eugenie and her husband for their growing family, and under the condition the Sussexes would bunk in with them on the odd visit to London.
But the arrangement is not necessarily just a practical one.
‘CLOSE BOND’
Eugenie is believed to be the only member of the Royal Family to have maintained a special relationship with the Sussexes’ since they moved to LA.
The trio also share a long list of mutual friends, including the Clooneys and Ellie Goulding.
“Out of all the Queen’s grand-children, Harry and Eugenie have one of the most natural connections,” royal authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand wrote in the Sussex biography Finding Freedom.
“Like Harry, Eugenie is loyal, honest and great fun.
“The two had many nights out together in London, sneaking into back entrances of clubs, such as Mahiki, where Jack once was manager, or Tonteria, where in one of the VIP cave areas they downed shots from Mexican skull shaped glasses and a giant frozen margarita (with multiple straws).”
Nicknamed “Youj” or “Bouj” by her friends, the book also notes that like Harry, “Eugenie also struggled to carve out her own identity growing up”.
It adds: “Harry had always confided in his cousin when it came to the women in his life.
“Not only did he trust her implicitly, but friends say that she gives great advice and has always been ‘beyond wise’ for her years.”
Eugenie’s close bond with both William and Harry means she could be the perfect mediator between the brothers when they reunite for their grandfather’s funeral on Saturday.
It will be the first time the brothers have seen each other in over a year – and the first time since Meghan and Harry’s Oprah interview.
Eugenie and her sister Beatrice were also especially close to Prince Philip, who Eugenie once described as a “rock”.
Following the Duke of Edinburgh’s death, she posted two touching photos in memory of her “dearest Grandpa” and vowed to look after “granny”.
Eugenie, who named her first child August Philip Hawke Brooksbank in a touching nod to her grandad, said “we all miss you”.
She added: “I remember learning how to cook, how to paint, what to read. I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the navy.
“I remember incinerating the sausages and you swooping in to save the day.
I remember your hands and your laugh and your favourite beer.
“I will remember you in your children, your grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“Thank you for your dedication and love for us all and especially Granny, who we will look after for you.”
