GOODREM IN LOVE EUGENIE FLEES THE PALACE
Despite months of preparation and careful planning, and with just weeks to go before her big day, Princess Eugenie has fled the palace due to pre-wedding nerves.
Palace insiders have told New Idea the young royal has been left reeling after fiance Jack Brooksbank was caught flirting with Prince Harry’s exgirlfriend, and it’s sent her nervous imagination racing.
In photos taken in 2017 – that have just come to Eugenie’s attention – Jack and Chelsy Davy are seen cosying up at the Baar & Bass party in London with an onlooker confirming the pair’s behaviour seemed inappropriate for two friends.
“We couldn’t believe it when we saw how close Jack and Chelsy were,” says a fellow party-goer. “They were locked in conversation all night and certainly seemed very flirty.”
According to the source, Chelsy was hanging on Jack’s every word and even touching his arm when they laughed together. “The fact that Chelsy is Prince Harry’s ex only makes it more odd – everyone was talking about it at the event,” adds the onlooker.
While Chelsy and Harry had an on-off relationship between 2004 and 2011, the Zimbabwean party girl has remained a fixture in royal circles and even attended her ex’s May wedding to Meghan. Eugenie is also still close to Chelsy, even attending the 2016 launch of her jewellery brand.
“Eugenie didn’t even know Jack was going to the event and feels like he was keeping it from her, which has only added to the feeling of betrayal,” explains the royal source. “Chelsy is beautiful and stylish and Eugenie can’t help but be jealous of her.”
The timing couldn’t be worse: there are less than two weeks until the couple are due to say their vows before family and friends at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel on Oct. 12.
“She fears the pictures might spark rumours; a cheating scandal is the last thing Eugenie needs on the eve of her wedding and she’s so devastated,” adds the insider.
“She knows nothing happened and that Jack would never betray her, but all the whispers so close to the wedding have left Eugenie feeling incredibly vulnerable.”
Eugenie and Jack’s wedding has been plagued with negative reports in recent months with the revelation that taxpayers will pay for the event’s $3.5 million security bill. Earlier this month there were also reports of Prince Andrew left red-faced when the BBC turned down the opportunity to televise the event.
Not helping matters is that, like Chelsy, Jack – the manager of George Clooney’s tequila brand Casamigos – is known for his party loving lifestyle. Despite
his lack of royal credentials, Eugenie’s parents have always maintained they strongly approve of the 32-year-old former nightclub manager.
After the couple’s engagement announcement last January, Prince Andrew gushed about his future son-in-law, saying, “Jack is an absolutely outstanding young man and Eugenie and he have got to know each other over a number of years, and I’m really thrilled for them,” adding, “I’m just completely overjoyed and wish them every happiness.”
Sarah, Duchess of York was equally positive about the relationship. “Jack is a really sort of amazing bringer of light and he brings joy,” she said, adding, “I say to Jack, ‘Always just stay yourself,’ and I’d say that to anybody, just be yourself. What else can you do in life?”
Last week it was reported in Vanity Fair that the couple had to postpone their engagement because of Harry’s proposal to Meghan and had originally planned to marry in 2017.
Explains the royal source, the timing of this latest blow couldn’t be worse.
“Eugenie was hoping for a fairytale lead-up to her royal wedding, so this has been a complete nightmare for her.”
ON THE EVE OF HER BIG DAY, THE PRINCESS GETS COLD FEET