Prince Harry was reportedly snubbed by his cousins, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, during his recent visit to the United Kingdom. This unexpected cold shoulder has left Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, feeling betrayed, according to sources close to the couple.
The Duke of Sussex returned to the UK last month to mark the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded warriors that he co-founded. However, his trip was overshadowed by the conspicuous absence of his cousins, who had previously been among his few remaining allies within the royal family. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, did not accompany Harry, opting to stay in their Montecito, California home with their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
According to insiders, Harry was taken aback by the refusal of Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice to attend the Invictus Games, an event he had hoped would reinforce familial bonds, as reported by The National Enquirer. "It came as a huge shock to Harry and Meghan that both Eugenie and Beatrice iced him out when he was in London. They’re really upset over it,” said a source close to the couple.
The no-show by the York sisters, daughters of the scandal-ridden Prince Andrew, has been interpreted as a clear indication of where their loyalties lie amidst the ongoing family rift. For months, Eugenie and Beatrice had seemed to be the only royals still supporting Harry and Meghan, especially after the Sussexes' high-profile departure from royal duties and subsequent move to the United States.
The decision by Eugenie and Beatrice to distance themselves from Harry and Meghan reportedly stems from pressure within the royal family, particularly from Queen Camilla, King Charles' wife. Camilla is said to have accused the sisters of leaking family secrets to the Sussexes, putting them in a difficult position. "They were backed into a corner, and they had to put themselves first—the same way Meghan and Harry would have," the insider revealed.
This latest snub has reportedly left Harry and Meghan feeling "gutted," as they had considered Eugenie and Beatrice to be close allies. "They pulled a no-show and made it clear where they stand when it comes to family politics," another source added.
Despite the apparent rift, it is noted that Eugenie and Beatrice have not entirely severed ties with Harry and Meghan. They made "polite excuses" for their absence, suggesting a careful pulling away rather than a complete cut-off. This delicate maneuvering highlights the complex dynamics within the royal family, where personal relationships are often influenced by broader family politics.
In 2023, Eugenie became the first royal to visit Harry in Los Angeles following the Sussexes' departure from royal duties, a move that had initially signaled continued support. Harry and Meghan had hoped to strengthen their bond with the York sisters and even contemplated potential business ventures together in the United States.
"Harry and Meghan had all kinds of hopes of getting the girls and their husbands over to America and even going into business with them," the insider disclosed. "So it's a real slap in the face to be chucked over in favor of William and Harry's fuming."
The snub from Eugenie and Beatrice is particularly poignant given their father’s controversial past. Prince Andrew was banned from royal duties due to his association with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, making the York sisters' support for Harry and Meghan seem all the more critical. However, it appears the pressures and accusations from within the royal family have forced them to reevaluate their positions.
As the royal family continues to navigate these internal conflicts, the fallout from this latest development adds another layer of complexity to an already fraught relationship. The actions of Eugenie and Beatrice reflect the broader challenges faced by the royal family in maintaining unity amidst public and private controversies.