Battle of the Windsor brides

TWO royal engagements, ONE shared venue... and a whole lot of competition ahead. So who will carry off the crown for the wedding of the year?

Mothers of the bride with a gulf between them

MEGHAN’S low-key yoga instructor mother Doria Ragland has been handson but un-pushy as the big day approaches for the brides’ mums. Aides say Doria, below right with Meghan, plans to head back to LA anonymity once the party is over.

In contrast, Sarah Ferguson will be looking for any opportunity to show off her Royal credentials.

The Duchess of York, below left with Eugenie, has made headlines by gushing on social media about Eugenie’s ‘pure harmony’ engagement to Jack Brooksbank, who she describes as a ‘son, brother and best friend’. Prince Philip can’t bear to be in the same room as her, but she may draft in big-name support from the US by inviting television chatshow queen Oprah Winfrey.

Hot favourite: Meghan and Harry.

Fathers’ guest list tussles

FAMOUSLY competitive brothers Prince Charles and Prince Andrew may be tempted to use their children’s weddings – in May and the autumn respectively – to show which proud dad can wield the most influence. But on the guestlist front, Charles’s hands are tied, as Harry has implemented a ‘no old fogies’ rule, telling his father he won’t be allowed to invite dozens of foreign dignitaries. He is insisting on an intimate wedding with a young congregation. Eugenie is said to be keen to please her father with his long list of friends, including Arab sheiks and foreign moguls. Hot favourite: Eugenie and Jack.

Cocktails all round with barman Jack

AS FOR catering, both brides are opting for the same upmarket company, Table Talk, which also handled Pippa Middleton’s wedding reception – doing little to douse rumours that Princess Eugenie is heading for a copycat wedding.

But there will be subtle differences: Prince Harry and Meghan have also engaged party planners Fait Accompli, for example, to add in quirky details like an American whiskey bar.

But former bar and restaurant manager Jack will be playing to his strengths.

He not only has plenty of contacts in the catering world, but he also owns a wholesale wine merchants – as well as having unlimited access to tequila, thanks to his role as a brand ambassador for George Clooney’s company Casamigos. Margarita, anyone? Hot favourite: Eugenie and Jack.

The race to be fittest

MEGHAN’S regime to maintain her Hollywood figure is enviably no-frills – the actress runs regularly around Kensington Gardens and practises yoga. But in terms of effort, Princess Eugenie is strides ahead. Quietly on a healthy eating regime for a year, friends say she has dropped a dress size. It’s thanks to nutritionist Gabriela Peacock, who encourages wine and pizza ‘cheat days’ but otherwise advises cutting out cheese, alcohol and sugar. Eugenie also boxes and works out twice a week. Hot favourite: Meghan, though Eugenie gets A for effort.