Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s closest royal ally pictured out with Piers Morgan

In an unexpected twist, one of the Sussexes’ only remaining royal allies has been pictured on a cosy outing with arguably their most outspoken enemy.

One of the very few remaining royal family members believed to still be in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s corner in recent years has been spotted out to lunch with their most outspoken critic.

In what’s sure to come as a massive blow to the Sussexes, Princess Eugenie, along with her sister, Princess Beatrice, were photographed recently at a Notting Hill pub enjoying a meal with an intimate group – which included none other than Piers Morgan.

Singer James Blunt was also among the A-list gathering.

Beatrice was spotted sharing a laugh with Morgan outside the venue. Picture: Topstar/Backgrid

The pair even hugged before leaving. Picture: Topstar/Backgrid

The former Good Morning Britain host was even seen warmly embracing Beatrice as they left the venue.

The entire group chose to leave via the main entrance, despite the fact there appeared to be a more discreet exit onto a rear alleyway.

A pregnant Eugenie was spotted outside. Picture: Topstar/Backgrid

Singer James Blunt was among the other guests. Picture: Topstar/Backgrid

Eugenie - along with her husband, Jack Brooksbank - has been described as Harry and Meghan’s closest ally within the monarchy, and the couple are understood to be two of the only remaining members of his family who stayed in touch following their departure from the UK.

The couple reportedly spent a lot of time with the Sussexes in the early days of their relationship, going on double dates and even secretly visiting Meghan and Harry in Toronto, while the actress was filming Suits.

The friendship was on full display in the Sussexes’ Netflix docuseries, in which both Harry and Meghan described their bond and their nights out together.

Princess Beatrice and a friend at the Notting Hill pub aptly named The Royal Princess. Picture: Topstar/Backgrid

The 2021 Sussex biography, Finding Freedom, also described the cousins as the “closest of friends”.

“Like Harry, Eugenie is loyal, honest and great fun,” authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand wrote.

“Not only did [Prince Harry] trust her implicitly, but friends said that she gives great advice and has always been ‘beyond wise’ for her years.”

Harry and Meghan even opened up their former UK home, Frogmore Cottage, to Eugenie and Jack following their move to LA.

Meghan and Harry shared never-before-seen pictures of themselves partying with Eugenie in their Netflix special. Picture: Netflix

Meanwhile, Morgan – who enjoyed a fleeting friendship with Meghan shortly before she began dating Harry – has regularly issued scathing take-downs of the couple.

The controversial British broadcaster stormed off the set of Good Morning Britain in 2021 after his co-presenter Alex Beresford criticised the way he “continues to trash” the Duchess.

He eventually chose to part ways with the network rather than apologise to Meghan, after she filed an official complaint following his disparaging comments about her mental health claims.

Harry’s stepmother, Queen Consort Camilla, received backlash from his supporters in December after attending a festive private luncheon with Morgan in London - making Eugenie’s social outing all the more surprising.

This latest development is sure to add further strain to Harry’s presence at the coronation in just a couple of weeks.

Piers Morgan photographed outside Notting Hill pub called The Royal Princess. Picture: Topstar/Backgrid

It was reported recently that his concerns of an awkward and frosty reunion with his family were set to play out exactly as he’d feared.

Royal sources told the Daily Mail that Harry – who will be attending alone – will be receiving the cold shoulder from most of his family members when he turns up at Westminster Abbey, as they have “no interest” in talking to him beyond “the most basic of greetings”.

At the time, it was understood that Eugenie and Beatrice were the only exception – but their latest outing with one of the couple’s most outspoken opponents will surely only add to the challenging environment.

It follows reports Harry has been feeling homesick and made repeated attempts to contact his father in recent weeks ahead of the coronation.

According to The Sun, prior to publicly confirming his attendance earlier this month, the Duke of Sussex was “desperate” to be at the coronation to publicly support King Charles III and had tried a number of times to get in touch with him.

However, Charles was reportedly “so busy” he only had time for one conversation before the RSVP announcement went out.

“Harry was desperate to come back for the coronation and spend quality time with his family,” a source told The Sun.

Originally published as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s closest royal ally pictured out with Piers Morgan