The British Royals may be one of the most high-profile clans in the world, but that doesn’t mean they’re not exempt from the same family dynamics as the rest of us.
Whether it’s that cousin you gravitate towards at every family gathering, or your hilarious aunt who you can always count on for a good gossip – it’s only natural to have favourite relatives you love spending time with.
And when it comes to the House of Windsor, it’s no different!
While we’re used to seeing certain line-ups on the regular, like Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, we’re going to shine a light on some of the lesser-known and more surprising friendships within the palace that you had no idea existed.
We love seeing the Royal Family interact with one another and perhaps the late Queen Elizabeth put it best herself when she mused of her tribe: “Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.”
Keep scrolling for our full round-up of sweet royal friendships you didn’t know about!
Beatrice and Charles
Royal fans were delighted to see Prince Charles reunite with his niece Princess Beatrice at the 2022 Royal Ascot.
Beatrice and Zara
At the same event, Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall displayed nothing but cousinly love as the impeccably dressed royals had a yarn.
Charles and Sophie
Meanwhile, Prince Charles and his sister-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex seemed to get along swimmingly as they shared a laugh on race day.
Louis and Savannah
Prince Louis and his cousin Savannah Phillips were best friends during the Platinum Pageant as they shared a high five and chatted throughout the celebrations.
Beatrice and Charlotte
Caught on camera! Princess Charlotte and Princess Beatrice shared a sweet moment at Prince Philip’s Westminster Abbey memorial service in March 2022. Watch it in the player below!
Princess Charlotte’s cutest moments at Prince Philip’s memorial service
Beatrice and Sophie
Girls’ day out! Princess Beatrice was joined by her aunt Sophie of Wessex on day 10 of Wimbledon this week. The duo even donned matching polka-dot outfits.
Beatrice Edo and Sophie
Bea and Sophie, pictured with Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, enjoyed a friendly chat in the Queen’s VIP Royal box.
Commonwealth Service 2020
Duchess Meghan found a firm friend in The Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex when she sat next to him during Commonwealth Day celebrations. The event marked Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s final outing as senior royals.
Commonwealth Service 2020
The pair were seen sharing a friendly and animated conversation, which was quickly praised on social media. “Prince Edward, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle giggling away together is the content I want to see. Good vibes all round,” one user remarked on Twitter. WATCH IN THE NEXT SLIDE: Duchess Meghan and Prince Edward share a friendly chat!
Prince Edward chats to Duchess Meghan during Commonwealth Day event
Duchess Catherine and Princess Eugenie catch up at the Derby Day festival in 2011.
Fancy seeing you here! Kate and Eugenie were clearly thrilled to be reunited at the St. Andrews 600th Anniversary Dinner in 2014.
Catherine and Princess Beatrice rub shoulders at Royal Ascot.
Kate and Beatrice share a warm kiss hello.
Trooping the Colour might be a serious affair, but there’s always room for a giggle.
Who could forget when Prince Charles walked Meghan down the aisle?
The in-laws are royally fond of each other.
We love watching Zara Tindall spend time with her family!
Zara is particularly close with first cousins William and Harry.
Catch me if you can, Harry!
Zara’s daughter Mia plays with the prince at the polo.
Duchess Kate, Mia Tindall and Zara Tindall – talk about a power trio!
Keeping close: We love how affectionate Zara is!
Cuddles for Uncle Charles.
Zara greets Prince Charles in the Royal Box at Ascot in 2008.
Lending their support to a worthy cause: Zara and her husband Mike Tindall joined Harry for a display game of wheelchair rugby when he first launched the Invictus Games in 2014.
Harry and Zara pictured at Peter Phillips’ wedding to Autumn Kelly in 2008.
Sophie of Wessex and Duchess Catherine have to be one of our all-time favourite royal duos.
No matter where they go, the ladies always enjoy each other’s company.
In fact, Sophie and Kate even made a joint appearance together in 2018 when they attended the The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange Reception at Buckingham Palace.
Catherine and her right-hand woman at Royal Ascot in 2017.
Kate, Lady Louise and Sophie cheer on the Brits at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
Sophie’s husband Prince Edward also gets on famously with Kate.
And it seems Prince William is a huge fan of the former publicist too.
Royal rascals! Savannah Philips won hearts around the world when she cheekily placed her hand over her little cousin Prince George’s mouth during the 2018 Trooping the Colour event.
The best moment from Trooping the Colour: Savannah Phillips teases Prince George
But it was when Savannah, whose father is The Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips, [pushed Prince George down a hill at the polo in 2018(https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/british-royal-family/savannah-phillips-pushes-prince-george-down-hill-49188|target=”_blank”) that we learned these two are almost like brother and sister.
After seeing Savannah and George’s playful dynamic at Trooping the Colour and at the polo, it’s easy to see the pair share a strong bond (even if she does boss him around from time to time!)
Royal confidantes Duchess Meghan and Princess Anne share a laugh during celebrations for Prince Charles’ 50-year investiture.
Meghan and Anne happily chatted in the pews during Princess Eugenie’s wedding in 2018.
Oh to be a fly on the wall when these two spend time together!
Meghan Markle chats with Princess Anne at Princess Eugenie’s wedding
Duchess Catherine and Princess Anne share a right royal laugh during celebrations for the centenary of the RAF on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2018.
Kate greets Anne with a warm kiss at Royal Ascot in 2016.
Did you know Queen Elizabeth is incredibly close to her niece, Lady Sarah Chatto, who is the daughter of Princess Margaret?
“The Queen adores Sarah and seeks out her company as often as possible. She is her absolute favourite younger Royal,” one royal commentator explained.
“They are hugely at ease in each other’s company. Much giggling can be heard when they are together. They share a sense of loyalty, fun, duty and the ridiculous,” they added.
The Queen, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, The Queen Mother and Lady Sarah Chatto step out for the The Queen Mother’s 88th birthday celebrations at Clarence House in 1988.
“I think Grandpa is incredible. He really is strong and consistent. He’s been there for all these years, and I think he’s the rock, you know, for all of us,” Princess Eugenie said of her grandfather, Prince Philip.
It’s so touching to see photos of Prince Philip with his grandchildren. Here he is pictured with granddaughter Princess Beatrice.
Royal cousins unite! Eugenie, Harry and Beatrice share a laugh during an official event.
Too cute! Proving he’s the ultimate older cousin, Prince William pushes Princess Beatrice around in a pram in 1989.
The Yorks and the Waleses hit the snow for a family holiday in Klosters, Switzerland in 1995.
Prince William rubs shoulders with his uncle Prince Andrew and cousins.
It’s little wonder Harry and William are so close with Eugenie and Beatrice. Not only do they mix in similar social circles, the cousins all grew up together.
Princess Eugenie has even played cupid for Prince Harry in the past, setting him up with ex-girlfriend and actress Cressida Bonas, who he dated from 2012 to 2014.
Cousins Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie make their way into church together during the royal family’s annual Christmas morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.
Proud family moment! Princess Eugenie, Prince William, Duchess Catherine and Prince Harry cheer on cousin Zara Phillips as she and Great Britain’s equestrian team win a silver medal in the team Equestrian competition during the 2012 London Olympics.
Cousins who watch sport together, stay together!
Another day, another social gathering but at least William, Bea and Harry are in good company.
He was known for having a stiff-upper lip but it looks like granddaughter-in-law Duchess Catherine knew how to make Prince Philip chuckle.
It’s clear the Duke of Edinburgh was very fond of Catherine.
Strong bonds run deep in the British Royal Family.
It’s not often we see Princess Anne with her younger brother Prince Edward – but when they are together, they clearly enjoy each other’s company.
What’s so funny? Lady Sara Chatto, Zara Tindall, Prince Harry, Mike Tindall and Princess Anne find themselves in stitches and we’d just love to know the joke.
royals-ascot.
The annual pilgrimage to Royal Ascot always offers up fabulous royal dynamics. Here, Sophie of Wessex, Prince Edward, Prince William, Duchess Catherine and Princess Anne rub shoulders at the horse racing event.
Whoops! Prince Andrew’s hat topples off and older brother Prince Charles finds it most amusing.
