Princess Eugenie is planning a career move to join Team Sussex

Still, any formal collaboration with the Sussexes would come with consequences.

A royal source warned: ‘William and Catherine have been thoughtful towards her during an incredibly difficult time and she is not taking that for granted. There is affection and a shared history that matters. But everyone understands that there are boundaries that cannot easily be crossed without consequences.”

The insider continued: “If Eugenie were to step into a professional role alongside Harry and Meghan, it would not be seen as a neutral career move. It would almost certainly be seen within palace circles as joining one camp in an ongoing and unresolved family rift. That perception alone could chill – if not permanently damage – her relationship with William and Catherine. She is well aware that such a decision would have emotional weight far beyond the practical aspects of a job.”

Yet the appeal of a new start is palpable. The same insider added: “This is the first time Eugenie has really allowed herself to imagine what a complete move might look like. The appeal lies in the clean slate it represents. Physical distance from Britain would also mean emotional breathing space, and the freedom to shape a professional identity on her own terms.”

At the same time, she is not naive about what that step would mean. ‘Crossing the Atlantic would not be a temporary adjustment – ​​it would be closing one chapter and starting a new one. It would inevitably change her place within the family dynamic and the royal family. She understands that once that line is crossed, there is no easy return to the way things were.”