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Six years ago, Princess Eugenie dazzled the world when she married Jack Brooksbank in a grand royal ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The event brought together the entire royal family, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, just five months after their own wedding.
It was at this special occasion that Harry and Meghan decided to share some exciting news with their family: they were expecting their first child. In his memoir Spare, Harry recalls using the family gatherings around Eugenie’s wedding to share their joyful news. He describes telling his brother, Prince William, after a drinks reception in St George’s Hall. Harry writes, “We whispered the news and Willy smiled and said, ‘We must tell Kate.’”
Despite Harry suggesting they could wait, William insisted, and they immediately told Kate, who was across the room talking to Pippa Middleton. Both William and Kate offered their heartfelt congratulations, which Harry says was the reaction he had hoped for. Meghan gave birth to their son, Prince Archie, seven months later in May 2019.
Breaking from royal tradition, Harry and Meghan chose not to pose for the customary hospital steps photos. Instead, Harry gave a spontaneous interview outside Windsor Castle, expressing his pride and excitement. He said, “I’m very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a baby boy this morning, a very healthy baby boy. I haven’t been at many births. This is definitely my first birth—it was amazing, absolutely incredible. I’m so incredibly proud of my wife.”
Despite what some might view as a faux pas, announcing a pregnancy at a wedding, Harry and Meghan have reportedly remained close to Eugenie and Jack. Their relationship has endured despite the frostiness between the Sussexes and other members of the royal family, particularly after the release of Harry’s memoir Spare.
While tensions with the royals have remained high, Harry’s bond with his cousins, particularly Eugenie and her sister Beatrice, has stayed strong. An insider previously shared with PEOPLE, “They’re still the best of friends and talk constantly. This whole drama between him and Meghan and the rift with the rest of the family has been really stressful for the girls. It’s hard to watch because they see both sides of it.”
Harry and Eugenie’s close friendship dates back to their childhood, thanks to the close relationship between their mothers, Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson. This bond has endured through the years, and of all the late Queen’s grandchildren, Harry and Eugenie are said to have “the most natural connection” and are “the closest of friends.”
