Princess Eugenie's Reaction to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Royal Wedding Ceremony Is Going Viral

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s royal wedding at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, was an exciting day for many—both loved ones and royal fans alike. The enthusiasm was noticeable in the crowds of people who filled the streets outside of the venue and the millions of individuals who tuned in to the live broadcast on television, but the chapel itself was also brimming with positive emotion. One royal wedding guest who attended the service, Princess Eugenie, was particularly pleased watching her cousin, Prince Harry, and his fiancée say “I do,” and her reaction is going viral.

Five years after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex got married, a video of Eugenie watching the 2018 ceremony has resurfaced on TikTok. The person behind the royal fan account @everything.sussex reposted the clip on August 28, 2023, and the footage has been viewed 1.4 million times since. The recording begins with Harry lifting Meghan’s veil to expose her face at the ceremony. The camera then shows a close-up shot of Meghan smiling up at Harry while gazing into his eyes. Harry says something to his new wife before beaming and turning to face the congregation, as Meghan follows suit.

A second later, the camera pans to Princess Eugenie, who is standing in the pews beside her now-husband, Jack Brooksbank, and her sister, Princess Beatrice. Eugenie and the other wedding guests around are holding hymnals and singing “Lord of All Hopefulness,” but Eugenie is the only one who is looking off to the side. At first, the princess has a somber facial expression, but then she breaks out into a grin. The video is edited in a way that suggests Eugenie was smiling at the moment Harry lifted Meghan’s veil. However, based on the original broadcast, Eugenie’s smile came seconds before that touching moment between Meghan and Harry. 

Regardless, it’s clear that Eugenie was in support of the couple’s big day, and many other royal fans noticed. One user put it simply, “Eugenie was so proud of him. I love them.” Others commented on the current bond between Eugenie and Harry. “Glad to know that Eugenie remains close to Harry Meghan and their children,” someone wrote. Another said, “She was the only one who had his back when he decided to leave royalty, she knew he made the right decision not just for him but for his mother.” 

Eugenie has a special connection to Meghan and Harry. The duchess told Oprah Winfrey in an interview in March 2021 that she knew Eugenie long before she started dating Harry. Eugenie was also part of a milestone moment in Meghan and Harry’s relationship: She was there when Harry first brought Meghan to his former home, Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, which Harry wrote about in his tell-all memoir, Spare. “I remember Euge hugging Meg as if they were sisters,” he said in his novel. Meghan also felt close to Harry’s cousin. “We chatted about Euge and [her now-husband Jack Brooksbank], whom she loved,” Harry continued.

Eugenie also witnessed the moment that Meghan met Queen Elizabeth II for the first time. Then, before Harry and Meghan announced their relationship to the public, they celebrated Halloween with Eugenie. "We invited Euge and Jack to join us for Halloween,” Harry said. “And Meg's best friend Markus. Toronto's Soho House was having a big party and the theme was 'Apocalypse.' Dress accordingly."