It’s the digital age version of a cold shoulder, or maybe just a really smart PR move. If you’ve spent any time scrolling through the "Following" list of Princess Eugenie, you might notice a glaring omission. Even though she’s famously the only royal who stayed truly tight with the Sussexes after they bolted for California, Eugenie still hasn't hit that follow button on Meghan Markle’s new personal handle.
Honestly, it’s kinda weird, right? Especially when you consider they were allegedly house-hunting together in Portugal recently. You’d think a simple follow would be the bare minimum for two people who supposedly share a "special bond." But in the weird, high-stakes world of royal optics, a single click can start a diplomatic incident.
The Social Media Rift That Isn't a Rift
Let’s get one thing straight: Princess Eugenie avoids following Meghan Markle on Instagram not because they’ve had some massive falling out over afternoon tea. It’s way more calculated than that.
For years, Eugenie has been the "bridge" between the two warring factions of the House of Windsor. She appeared in the Harry & Meghan Netflix doc. She was the first family member to visit them in Montecito. She even reportedly helped them secure a holiday home at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club in Portugal. They are, by all accounts, actual friends.
But the royal family is basically a massive corporation with a very grumpy board of directors. Following Meghan—who is currently personae non gratae to King Charles and Prince William—would be seen as a public declaration of war against the Crown.
Expert commentators, including Richard Fitzwilliams, have noted that if Eugenie were to follow Meghan's @meghan account (which she launched to much fanfare for her American Riviera Orchard brand), it would cause "instant trouble." It would be interpreted as Eugenie picking a side in a feud that has already torn the family apart.
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Why a Follow is More Than Just a Follow
In the "real world," you follow your cousins and their wives without thinking. In the Palace, every digital move is scrutinized by "The Firm."
Eugenie already has a unique position. She’s one of the few royals allowed to have a personal Instagram account (@princesseugenie) because she isn't a "working royal." She works a 9-to-5 at an art gallery. But even with that freedom, she has to play the game.
Look at the evidence:
- Eugenie follows @theroyalfamily (the official account for the King).
- She follows @princeandprincessofwales (William and Kate).
- She even still follows the old, defunct @sussexroyal account.
- She does NOT follow @meghan.
Basically, she’s keeping her nose clean. By following the inactive Sussex account but ignoring the new one, she can claim she’s just being "traditional" or hasn't "updated her list." It’s a classic royal dodge. It’s about self-preservation. She wants to keep her relationship with Harry and Meghan, but she also wants to keep being invited to Christmas at Sandringham.
The Portugal Connection and the Private vs. Public Divide
There’s a lot of chatter lately about the "Portugal Pivot." Since Meghan and Harry bought that property near Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s place in Melides, the two couples are spending more time together than ever.
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It’s a clever setup. Away from the prying eyes of the British tabloids and the strict rules of London, they can be a normal family. They can hang out on the beach, let their kids (Archie, Lilibet, August, and Ernest) play together, and avoid the drama.
This private closeness is exactly why the public Instagram snub is so effective. If they were actually feuding, they wouldn't be buying houses next to each other. The fact that Princess Eugenie avoids following Meghan Markle on Instagram while simultaneously helping her move into a new villa proves that the "following" list is purely for the public’s benefit. It’s a performance.
The Pressure From the Top
We also can't ignore the "Camilla and William factor." Rumors from inside the palace suggest that senior royals are incredibly wary of Eugenie’s loyalty. There’s a fear that she’s acting as a "double agent," feeding information back to the Sussexes in California.
If Eugenie were to start "liking" Meghan’s posts about strawberry jam or lifestyle blogging, it would be the final straw for Prince William. He’s reportedly been very firm about keeping a distance from anything related to the Montecito brand. Eugenie, who is famously "down to earth" and hates the drama, is likely just trying to keep the peace.
She knows that a follow would be headline news for a week. It would lead to "Body Language Experts" analyzing her digital footprint and "Royal Insiders" claiming she’s abandoned the King. Who wants that headache?
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The Takeaway for Royal Watchers
So, what does this actually tell us? It tells us that the royal family is currently operating in a state of "managed tension."
- Digital silence doesn't mean a private feud. Just because they aren't "friends" on an app doesn't mean they aren't friends in real life.
- Optics are everything. For non-working royals like Eugenie, the goal is to remain "neutral" enough to stay in everyone's good graces.
- The Sussexes are still out. Until there is a formal reconciliation with the King, no active or high-profile royal will be allowed to publicly support Meghan’s new business ventures.
If you’re waiting for Eugenie to post a selfie with Meghan and a jar of American Riviera Orchard jam, don't hold your breath. It’s not happening. The Princess is playing the long game, keeping her family ties tight behind closed doors while maintaining a perfectly "neutral" Instagram feed for the rest of us to over-analyze.
If you want to keep track of this saga, keep a close eye on the "Likes" section of Eugenie’s posts. Sometimes, she’ll like a post from a mutual friend that features Meghan, which is the royal equivalent of a "soft launch." For now, though, the "unfollow" stays in place, and the royal Cold War continues—at least on our phone screens.
Keep an eye on the official Instagram of the Anti-Slavery Collective, the charity Eugenie co-founded. Sometimes, "unofficial" accounts associated with royals show more of their true leanings than their personal pages do. If Meghan ever does a collaboration with a charity Eugenie supports, that’s when the digital wall will finally crumble. Until then, assume the "avoidance" is nothing more than a very savvy bit of royal PR management.