The Bond Between Prince William, Prince Harry, and Their Cousins Through the Years: Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, and More
Discover the enduring connections between Prince William, Prince Harry, and their first cousins over the years. Delve into the heartwarming moments that highlight their special relationships.
Many of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s grandchildren grew up together. The late regent’s only daughter, Princess Anne, was the first royal to expand her brood. The Princess Royal and then-husband Captain Mark Phillips welcomed son Peter Phillips in November 1977 and daughter Zara Tindall in May 1981. Less than one year after Zara’s arrival, King Charles III and his then-wife, Princess Diana, welcomed their first child, son Prince William. The king — who ascended the throne in September 2022 after his mother’s passing — and Diana later welcomed second son Prince Harry in September 1984.
In August 1988 and March 1990, Charles' younger brother Prince Andrew became a father to daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Harry has a close relationship with Eugenie, especially. When Harry and Meghan Markle decided to step back from their royal duties in 2020, Eugenie played a key role in helping to mend fences with their family.
"Princess Eugenie is known for being a peacemaker," shared royal expert Jonathan Sacerdoti in an exclusive interview with We in April 2022. He mentioned that she has managed to maintain good relationships with Harry and Meghan. Additionally, it is said that she is also close to the queen, putting her in a great position to facilitate a meeting between them.
Keep scrolling down to see some of the sweetest moments shared by the royal cousins.
Prince William, Prince Harry and All of the Queen's Grandchildren Hold Vigil for Late Monarch at Westminster Hall
Credit: YouTube
The Relationships Between Prince William, Prince Harry, and Their Cousins
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's grandchildren, including Prince William and Prince Harry, have shared a close bond growing up.
The late regent’s only daughter, Princess Anne, was the first royal to expand her brood. The Princess Royal and her then-husband Captain Mark Phillips had a son named Peter Phillips in November 1977. They also welcomed daughter Zara Tindall in May 1981.
Less than a year after Zara’s birth, King Charles III and Princess Diana had their first child, Prince William. Charles became king in September 2022 after his mother’s passing. The royal couple later welcomed their second son, Prince Harry, in September 1984.
The royal cousin count increased in August 1988 and March 1990 when Charles’ younger brother, Prince Andrew, had daughters named Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Harry has a special bond with Eugenie, especially after he and Meghan Markle stepped back from their royal duties in 2020. Eugenie played a key role in helping to make peace with their relatives.
According to royal expert Jonathan Sacerdoti in an exclusive interview with We in April 2022, Princess Eugenie is known as a peacemaker. She has maintained good relations with Harry and Meghan, and is also said to be close to the queen. This makes her the perfect person to facilitate such meetings.
Scroll below to revisit the royal cousins’ sweetest moments together:
Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship With Cousins Peter Phillips Zara Tindall Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Through the Years
Credit: Northcliffe Collection/ANL/Shutterstock
January 1988
William and Harry wore pretend firefighters’ helmets while playing in a vintage fire engine with Peter.
Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship With Cousins Peter Phillips Zara Tindall Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Through the Years
Credit: Mike Forster/Daily Mail/Shutterstock
January 1995
The York sisters twinned in red snowsuits during a family ski outing to Klosters, Switzerland, alongside William and Harry.
Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship With Cousins Peter Phillips Zara Tindall Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Through the Years
Credit: Shutterstock
August 1997
The Duke of Cambridge and Zara shared a word aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship With Cousins Peter Phillips Zara Tindall Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Through the Years
Credit: Lynn Hilton/Mail On Sunday/Shutterstock
August 2001
The oldest cousins, William, Harry, Peter, Zara, Beatrice, and Eugenie, gathered for a family picture during their great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother's 101st birthday party.
Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship With Cousins Peter Phillips Zara Tindall Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Through the Years
Credit: Shutterstock
April 2005
Although William and Harry initially had concerns about their father Charles marrying Queen Camilla, they eventually accepted and supported their union. The brothers were seen together with Peter and Zara as they arrived at St George’s Chapel.
Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship With Cousins Peter Phillips Zara Tindall Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Through the Years
Credit: Shutterstock
July 2012
Zara, an accomplished horseback rider, competed with Team Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics. During her events, many of her cousins were spotted cheering her on.
Inside Harry and Meghan’s Halloween Bash Before Going Public
Credit: Netflix
October 2016
Harry and the Suits alum shared never-before-seen photos from their Halloween bash with Eugenie and Brooksbank in their Netflix docuseries, which premiered in December 2022.
Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship With Cousins Peter Phillips Zara Tindall Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Through the Years
Credit: Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Shutterstock
April 2021
After Harry's grandfather Philip passed away at 99, he met his royal family members for the first time since moving to California. During the funeral, Harry walked with William and Peter in the procession before the private service.
Prince William, Prince Harry and All of the Queen's Grandchildren Hold Vigil for Late Monarch at Westminster Hall
Credit: YouTube
September 2022
Nearly a year later, the queen passed away at the age of 96. During her official mourning period, a special grandchildren's vigil was held around her casket at Westminster Hall. William and his brother stood guard in their ceremonial military uniforms, a special allowance for Harry who had lost his titles after stepping down. Beatrice, Eugenie, Peter, Zara, Louise, and James all wore mourning outfits to pay their respects.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Let Pregnant Princess Eugenie Movie Into Their U.K. Home Frogmore Cottage
Credit: Shutterstock (3)
December 2022
Eugenie, Harry, and Meghan share a strong bond, according to a source who spoke exclusively to Us in December. They stay in touch regularly and make sure to FaceTime at least once every couple of months, even with the children.
Just a few weeks before, Eugenie had a quick appearance in the Harry & Meghan documentary. She visited their home in Montecito, California, during the Super Bowl.
Prince Harry Sits in 3rd Row at Coronation
Credit: Pool/Shutterstock
May 2023
Harry went to his father's coronation by himself because Meghan stayed home with their kids Archie and Lili. It was Archie's 4th birthday on the same day. After the ceremony, Harry left London. During the event, he sat next to Beatrice and Eugenie in the third row. Behind them, Peter and Zara were seated.
Royals Relationships With Their Cousins Over the Years
Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
June 2023
William and Kate were joined by Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, in an open-top carriage at the Royal Ascot.
Princess Beatrice’s Husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Reacts to New Kate Middleton Photo
Credit: Getty Images (2)
March 2024
Kate, who had surgery on her abdomen in January 2024, finally opened up about her recovery in March. She posted a new family photo on Instagram with her kids, and Mapelli Mozzi left a heart emoji in the comments.
On U.K. Mother’s Day, a photo was released that was later found to have been altered by the source. Kate admitted to tampering with editing software and apologized for the mistake. No other members of the royal family have commented on the incident.
Editor's P/S:
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the relationships between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's grandchildren, including Prince William, Prince Harry, and their cousins. It highlights the close bonds they share, particularly between Harry and Eugenie, and their role in maintaining family harmony. The article also showcases heartwarming moments from their childhood and adulthood, such as playing together as children, attending family events, and supporting each other during significant life milestones.
The article also touches on the impact of Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from their royal duties in 2020, and the role Eugenie played in helping to mend fences within the family. It mentions that Harry and Eugenie have a strong bond, and that they stay in touch regularly. Additionally, the article briefly mentions the recent coronation of King Charles III, where Harry sat next to Beatrice and Eugenie during the ceremony, and the participation of Beatrice and her husband at the Royal Ascot alongside William and Kate.
