Princess Eugenie; Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Photo: Dave Benett/Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage
Meghan Markle’s friendship withPrincess Eugeniedates back to before her relationship withPrince Harry.
During her sit-down interview withOprah Winfreythat aired on Sunday, the Duchess of Sussex shared new details aboutmeeting members of the royal familyfor the first time — and revealed that she knew Harry’s cousin before they started dating.
“Eugenie and I had known each other before I had known Harry, so that was comfortable,” Meghan said. “We’re friends with them as a couple.”
For more onPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s interview with Oprah, listen below to the episode of PEOPLE Every Day.
In the early days of Meghan and Harry’s relationship, Eugenie and her now-husband Jack Brooksbank went on double dates with Harry and Meghan and also visited Toronto, Canada, to see the couple when the prince traveled to see Meghan during her time onSuits.
Jack Brooksbank & Princess Eugenie; Meghan Markle & Prince Harry.Getty Images (2)
Rumors of tensions between the couples spread afterPrincess Eugenieand Jack’s October 2018 wedding. According to the bookFinding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, Meghan andPrince Harryshared the newsthat they were expecting their first child with family and friends on Eugenie’s big day. The pregnancy wasofficially announcedthree days later on the Kensington Palace social media accounts as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex embarked on their royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.
“It did not go down particularly well with Eugenie, who, a source said, told friends she felt the couple should have waited to share the news,” according to authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.
Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie.Steve Parsons /Getty
Get the premiere issue of PEOPLERoyalsfor glamorous new photos and inside stories royals fans haven’t seen or read elsewhere! Subscribe atpeopleroyals.com/launch
However,Princess EugenieandPrince Harryhave alwaysshared a unique bond.
“Eugenie had always been more than just a cousin to Harry. They were also the closest of friends,” according to the book. “Out of all the Queen’s grandchildren, Harry and Eugenie have one of the most natural connections. Like Harry, Eugenie is loyal, honest, and great fun. The two had many nights out together in London.”
“Harry had always confided in his cousin when it came to the women in his life,” they added. “Not only did he trust her implicitly, but friends say that she gives great advice and has always been ‘beyond wise’ for her years.”
Last year,Princess Eugenieand Jack moved into Meghan andPrince Harry’s U.K. home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
“Frogmore Cottage continues to be the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s residence in the U.K.,” a source told PEOPLE, “and they are delighted to be able to open up their home toPrincess Eugenieand Jack as they start their own family.”
And when Eugenie and Jack welcomed son August in February, they brought him to Frogmore Cottage to start their lives as a family of three.
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
Insiders recently told PEOPLE that the couples are close and havebeen in contact throughout their respective pregnancies.
source: people.com
