Royal besties
As Harry and Meghan visit Eugenie, here’s who else are buddies, as well as family
They’ve always been friends and this week, it was revealed Harry and Meghan flew to Portugal for a secret mini-break with Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, after the Invictus Games in Germany. Eugenie has always been there for Harry – she visited him in California last year and appeared in his Netflix series Harry & Meghan.
Like in any family, some siblings and cousins are closer than others. We take a look at who is best mates with who, in the Windsor clan:
Harry and Eugenie: The Sussexes were spotted in Melides, Portugal, last week, reportedly paying a top-secret visit to Eugenie and family, who are based in hip Comporta. According to Portuguese magazine Nova Gente, they took Archie and Lilibet, too, for a family holiday. “Eugenie had always been more than just a cousin to Harry. They were also the closest of friends,” wrote Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand in Finding Freedom.
William and Zara: The Prince of Wales has been close to his cousin, Zara Tindall, since childhood and recently revealed on her husband Mike’s podcast The Good, the Bad and the Rugby, that the only time he’s cried watching sport was because of her. “The only time I’ve ever cried watching a sport is when Zara won, I think it was the European Championship,” he said. “I was in Exmoor at the time camping.” Catherine replied, “I can remember because you came back and you said, ‘I’ve never been so proud of anyone’.”
Kate and Sophie: The Princess of Wales has developed a close relationship with the Duchess of Edinburgh, with the pair often snapped laughing together at events. Body language expert Judi James says the women have a naughty and loving friendship and adore making each other laugh. She told The Sun that images of them at engagements show, “those strong bonds of shared fun that clearly seem to exist when the two women aren’t out in public.”
Camilla and Anne: The Crown fans will remember Princess Anne used to date Camilla’s ex, Andrew Parker-Bowles and the Princess Royal has remained close to him, as has Camilla. Despite an up-and-down relationship over the years, Camilla and Anne have grown closer and support each other in their duties. They’re often pictured laughing and chatting and according to Judi James, Camilla is reassured by her sister-in-law’s experience. “Camilla seems to be feeding off both Anne’s confidence and stoic approach,” she said.
Kate’s busy week
Despite the news that the Princess of Wales will not be joining William in Singapore for his Earthshot Prize awards ceremony this November, Catherine’s workload is keeping the mum-of-three busy enough here in the UK.
Visiting textile mills in Lancaster and Leeds on Tuesday, the royal declared: “I love the feel of it and the smell of it” as she grabbed freshly woven Merino wool fabric. Her own threads were best of British too, a forest green trouser suit by Burberry. While touring the AW Hainsworth factory in West Yorkshire, she was very much going back to her roots, as the firm bought Catherine’s paternal great-grandfather’s business, William Lupton & Co, back in 1958.
The following day, as part her Shaping Us campaign, saw Catherine tickling children’s tummies and having fun at a sensory development play session. The Princess was at Orchards Centre, Kent, highlighting the importance of supporting children with disabilities and their families, and meeting practitioners trained by the National Portage Association. During the session, Catherine told a three-year old Darcie, “Louis has got a Darcie in his class.”
Royal plays to book now
If you love nothing better than an evening at the theatre (just like Royal List’s Maria), then you’re in for a double treat with not one but two plays about a couple of our favourite royals. Both opening in London on 27 October.
Backstairs Billy is a big production new comedy starring Penelope Wilton as the Queen Mother and Luke Evans as her devoted servant of 50 years, William “Billy” Tallon. Set in 1979, the play focuses on a key moment between the royal and her butler. Buy tickets here, it ends 27 January 2024.
A smaller show but equally a must-see is The Interview, written by Jonathan Maitland. Charting the back story of the 1995 Panorama interview between Diana, Princess of Wales and Martin Bashir, it questions if the controversial interview does have legitimacy, despite the shameful means by which it was procured. Tickets on sale now. And yes, Maria’s already got both in her diary.
When Harry (and Meghan) met Kevin Costner
The couple joined the Hollywood legend at his charity fundraiser for emergency services workers, hosted at his California home.
The annual event called One805 Live! also saw Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Katy Perry’s parents at Kevin’s Santa Barbara oceanside estate. The Duke and Duchess were introduced as special guests, with Meghan presenting the Oscar-winning actor an honorary award.
Later in the evening, according to reports, Harry busted some moves while Maroon 5 rocked on. All hail Harry, Duke of the dance floor.
Anne opens Raffles
There are not many hotels which get the royal seal of approval, but London’s new Raffles at the OWO did, when Princess Anne opened it this week. They got not one but two royals, as Princess Beatrice also turned up to the party. Based in the Old War Office on Whitehall, Raffles – the London off-shoot of the Singapore icon – is the most-anticipated hotel to open in the UK for some years.
It’s not the first time royals leant their approval to hotels, however – the Queen and Queen Mother opened the kitchens of The Connaught in 1992 and the late Queen also gave a royal warrant to her favourite hotel The Goring. Diana loved The Savoy and the Queen hosted a post-wedding party for Charles and Diana at Claridge’s.