'Horrified' Princess Eugenie reaches out to Meghan Markle with apology

"Eugenie called Meghan herself, she was horrified"

In a swift move to protect one of the few remaining bridges between the British Royal Family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a "horrified" Princess Eugenie has directly contacted Meghan Markle to deliver an emotional personal apology.

The urgent telephone outreach follows explosive public backlash after a rare first-edition copy of the Duchess of Sussex's 2021 children’s book, The Bench—complete with an intimate, handwritten family inscription addressed to Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank—was discovered for sale on eBay with a staggering £19,999.99 price tag.

Royal commentators reveal that rather than letting rumors fester or issuing cold statements through palace aides, the York princess picked up the phone immediately to clear the air with Meghan.

"She Was Horrified": The Urgent Call Between Cousins-in-Law

The revelation of the phone call comes via royal commentator Rob Shuter, who disclosed that Princess Eugenie acted without hesitation once the controversial sale made international headlines:

"Eugenie called Meghan herself. She was horrified the book had somehow ended up for sale and made it absolutely clear she would never knowingly sell a personal gift from Meghan."

Eugenie was deeply distressed by the public narrative suggesting that she and Jack had disregarded, auctioned off, or deliberately profited from a meaningful gift.

The book had been presented to the couple in 2021 shortly after the arrival of their first son, August, and carried a personal dedication penned in Meghan’s signature calligraphy:

"2021 Dear Eug & Jack, Celebrating the special bond between father and son. I wrote this poem at Frogmore — I hope that Eug, you witness the same love there with your guys. All love, Meghan."

 

What Really Happened to the £20,000 Book?

The appearance of the volume on the secondary market ignited fierce speculation across social media, with critics accusing the couple of offloading personal royal memorabilia.

However, royal insiders and observers point out several plausible scenarios that explain how the inscribed copy slipped out of royal possession without Eugenie's knowledge:

• Relocation Clutter and Household Moves: Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have transitioned their household multiple times over recent years, dividing their life between Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace, and their residence at the CostaTerra Golf & Ocean Club in Portugal. Items can easily be mislaid or packed into storage boxes during international moves.

• Charity Bag or Domestic Mix-Ups: In busy households, secondary books and everyday reading material are frequently boxed up by domestic staff or movers for donation drives or clearance sales without realizing a valuable autograph lies on the inside page.

• Unauthorized Removal: Insiders do not rule out the possibility that the collectible was taken without consent by someone with access to royal residences, knowing its market value would fetch thousands among private collectors.

Protecting a Fragile Royal Bond

Princess Eugenie has long occupied a unique, delicate position within the House of Windsor. While many senior royals severed direct ties with Prince Harry and Meghan following their departure from frontline duties, Eugenie remained a loyal, trusted confidante.

She famously visited the Sussexes at their home in Montecito, California, and previously shared Frogmore Cottage under an amicable private arrangement.

By reaching out directly and extending a candid apology, Eugenie sought to prevent an embarrassing estate mishap from being weaponized into an intentional snub.

The eBay listing was officially taken down and marked "no longer available" shortly after the controversy erupted. With Eugenie taking personal responsibility to clarify the situation directly with Meghan, both sides appear determined to ensure an accidental sale does not disrupt their lasting family connection.