Can Harry’s confidante Eugenie help heal the rift?

IT was the first question asked when the Duke of Sussex announced plans to fly back for his grandfather’s funeral: who will he see first when he steps off the plane? The answer is what many had long expected: his cousin Eugenie, who recently gave birth to Archie’s cousin, August, and has been living with her husband Jack Brooksbank at the Sussexes’ property Frogmore Cottage.

The reason behind Harry’s decision to stay with his first cousin is unlikely to be practical. Eugenie and Harry have “one of the most natural connections” of all the royals, according to Finding Freedom authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand. They’re just five years apart and Eugenie became Harry’s romantic confidante growing up. Scobie and Durand say they had many nights out sneaking into clubs like Mahiki, and Eugenie is good friends with Harry’s ex-girlfriends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas. Sources say the princess also played a role in matchmaking Harry and Meghan. In last month’s Oprah interview, the Duchess confirmed she had known Eugenie before she met Harry — they share similar charitable interests and both love morning exercise — and Eugenie and Jack were spotted with Harry and Meghan at Soho House Toronto in 2016. According to insiders, Eugenie and Jack enjoyed double dates with the Cambridges in Mayfair around the same time and they kept up a friendly relationship as neighbours at Kensington Palace until the end of last year.

The Sussexes have since named Eugenie as one of the only royals they’re on good terms with postMegxit. The princess’s tribute to her grandfather this week was a reflection of her quietly crucial status in the wider family. “I remember incinerating the sausages and you swooping in to save the day,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “Thank you for your dedication and love for us all and especially Granny, who we will look after for you,” she added. Since their grandfather’s death, Harry and William are understood to have spoken on the phone and insiders say the latter’s decision to ditch his military uniform for the funeral could be an “olive branch” to his brother. Perhaps Eugenie the peacekeeper has already been busy.