Prince Harry’s years-long feud with Prince William and estrangement from his father, King Charles III, has meant that he and his wife, Meghan Markle, are left out of royal engagements, including Christmas at Sandringham. And this year, it seems their rift is affecting another royal family member via Instyle..
Reports suggest Princess Eugenie was invited to spend Christmas with Harry and Meghan in Montecito, California. This is the second holiday engagement that she, her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and their two kids, 3-year-old August and 1-year-old Ernest, have been invited to this year. The family has also been welcomed to the royals’ traditional celebrations at Sandringham. Now, it seems she is facing a Christmas dilemma and trying to balance both proposals.
A source told The Express, “Harry and Meghan have invited Eugenie and Jack to join them in California during the holidays. It’s a very difficult position for Eugenie because she has also been invited to Sandringham.”
The source continued: “Eugenie is in a difficult position because she’s always been close to Harry, but she is mindful of how that relationship could affect her standing with the rest of her family. She is always trying to manage a difficult balancing act, which can become quite tiresome at times.”
This isn’t the first time Eugenie has found herself in a tug-of-war between Harry and the royal family. A source opened up on the princess being in a “difficult spot” back in October. She is also reportedly Charles’s go-to when he wants to check in on how Harry is doing.
The jury is still out on whether Eugenie plans to accept her cousin’s invitation but the insider added that she is considering being in the U.S. closer to the New Year so that her children and Harry’s children, 5-year-old Prince Archie and 3-year-old Princess Lilibet, can strengthen their relationships.
“It would be so nice for the children to spend time with their cousins,” the source told the outlet. “The diary is very tight over the holidays, but there might be a slot free around New Year’s time for everyone to come together at some point.”
