The Calculated Silence: 5 Royal Reasons Princess Eugenie Avoids Following Meghan Markle On Instagram

The world of royal social media is often a subtle battlefield of alliances and snubs, and as of December 2025, one calculated omission is speaking volumes: Princess Eugenie's deliberate decision to not follow Meghan Markle on Instagram. This move comes after the Duchess of Sussex made her highly anticipated return to the Meta platform earlier this year, an event that was immediately scrutinized by royal watchers and media analysts alike. The choice by Eugenie, who is known to have a famously close and enduring bond with her cousin Prince Harry and a friendly history with Meghan, is not a sign of a personal rift, but rather a strategic, political maneuver to navigate the increasingly complex dynamics of the British Royal Family. This "calculated silence" is a direct response to the heightened scrutiny surrounding the Sussexes’ post-royal careers, including Meghan’s new ventures like her recent Netflix show announcement. For Princess Eugenie, maintaining public neutrality on social media has become paramount, positioning her as a crucial "bridge" between Prince Harry and the rest of the Firm, a role that requires avoiding any action that could be interpreted as a public endorsement or a cause of "instant trouble" with senior members like King Charles III and Prince William.

Profile: Princess Eugenie & Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

To understand the weight of this Instagram decision, it is essential to first know the key figures involved and their historical relationship.

Princess Eugenie of York (Eugenie Victoria Helena)

• Born: March 23, 1990, in London, England.
• Parents: Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.
• Line of Succession: Currently tenth in line to the British throne.
• Husband: Jack Brooksbank (married 2018).
• Children: August Philip Hawke Brooksbank and Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank.
• Education: Marlborough College; Newcastle University (studied English Literature and History of Art).
• Career: Director at Hauser & Wirth art gallery.
• Royal Role: Non-working royal, though she attends major family events.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (Rachel Meghan Markle)

• Born: August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Parents: Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle.
• Previous Career: Actress, best known for her role as Rachel Zane on the TV series Suits.
• Husband: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (married 2018).
• Children: Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
• Education: Northwestern University (studied Theatre and International Relations).
• Current Role: Co-founder of Archewell, media personality, and producer (Netflix, Spotify).
• Royal Role: Stepped back as a senior working royal in 2020.

The Five Strategic Reasons Behind Eugenie’s Social Media Silence

The decision by Princess Eugenie to withhold a simple "follow" on Instagram is widely viewed by royal commentators not as a lack of affection, but as a carefully calculated political move. It is a subtle way for her to manage her close personal ties to the Sussexes while maintaining her position within the wider institutional structure of the British Royal Family, often referred to as "The Firm."

1. Avoiding "Instant Trouble" with The Firm

Royal experts have consistently pointed to the intense pressure faced by royals who are perceived to be too close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Eugenie’s public support, even a small gesture like an Instagram follow, could be interpreted as a political statement of allegiance against the wishes of the senior royals. By avoiding the follow, she sidesteps the possibility of "causing instant trouble" or a major public snub that would draw the negative attention of King Charles III and Prince William. This neutrality is a form of self-preservation.

2. Protecting Her Role as Prince Harry’s "Bridge"

Princess Eugenie is frequently described as one of the last remaining links—a crucial "bridge"—between Prince Harry and the Royal Family in the UK. This relationship is built on a lifetime of shared experiences; the two cousins grew up close, sharing holidays and a similar non-senior royal status. To maintain this vital role, which is essential for any potential future reconciliation, Eugenie must appear politically neutral. A public endorsement of Meghan’s new, highly commercial social media presence could jeopardize her ability to communicate privately and effectively with the Duke of Sussex without suspicion from the Palace.

3. The Contrast of Public vs. Private Relationship

The irony is that Eugenie and Meghan share a history of genuine friendship that predates Meghan’s marriage to Harry. The two couples, Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, and Harry and Meghan, were reported to have gone on double dates in Toronto in the early days of the Sussexes' courtship. Furthermore, reports confirm that despite the ongoing royal drama, Eugenie and Meghan remain in regular, private communication, and Eugenie has even been seen snapping selfies with Meghan's best friend. This distinction between a warm private relationship and a cold public posture highlights the political constraints of modern royalty. The lack of a follow is a public *action* dictated by the Firm’s politics, not a reflection of her private *feelings*.

4. Navigating Meghan’s New Commercial Ventures

Meghan Markle’s 2025 return to Instagram came right before the announcement of a new Netflix project, signaling a highly commercial and public-facing chapter for the Duchess of Sussex. The content posted by Meghan is expected to be part of her independent, profit-driven brand, Archewell, which is separate from the non-commercial activities of the working royals. As a non-working royal herself, Eugenie must still be mindful of the perception of mixing royal status with commercial endorsement. Following Meghan would implicitly endorse the Sussexes’ commercial endeavors, a line that the Palace has been keen for other family members to avoid crossing since the "Megxit" split.

5. Maintaining a United Front with Princess Beatrice

Princess Eugenie and her older sister, Princess Beatrice, are famously close, often appearing at royal events as a united pair. Both sisters have had to navigate the complex relationship with their father, Prince Andrew, and maintain their standing within the family structure. It is highly likely that any decision regarding public social media interaction with the Sussexes would be a unified one, agreed upon to protect their collective position. A decision by Eugenie to follow Meghan would put Beatrice in an awkward position and potentially create a visible split between the sisters on a sensitive political issue.

The LSI Keywords and Topical Entities in Play

The narrative surrounding Princess Eugenie’s Instagram decision is rich with interconnected entities and thematic keywords that underscore the royal family’s current state. The "unbreakable bond" with Prince Harry is constantly tested by the "royal rift" between the Duke of Sussex and his brother, Prince William. Eugenie’s position is that of a "royal peacemaker," attempting to balance her "family loyalty" with the "Palace politics." The social media platform, Instagram, acts as a barometer for "royal alliances." Meghan’s return to the platform, and her new "Netflix deal," brings the "Sussex brand" into direct contrast with the "senior royals" and the "Monarchy’s future." This complex web of relationships—involving King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Catherine (Kate Middleton), Princess Beatrice, Sarah Ferguson, and Prince Andrew—means every action, including a simple "follow," is scrutinized as a "royal snub" or a show of "public support." Eugenie’s careful "social media strategy" is a testament to the high-stakes world of modern royal life. Ultimately, Princess Eugenie’s choice is a masterclass in royal diplomacy. It is a public gesture of distance to appease the Firm, coupled with a private assurance of closeness to her cousin. The lack of a follow is not a rejection of Meghan Markle, the friend, but a necessary political statement to protect the future of her relationship with Prince Harry, the cousin, and her standing within the Royal Family.