Sarah Ferguson's blunt 10 word remark about Meghan Markle who she was previously 'neighbours' with

Sarah Ferguson's pointed remark about Meghan Markle has revealed the Royal Family's eagerness to keep their distance from her and Prince Harry, an insider claims.

Despite rumours that Prince Harry maintains a warm relationship with his cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, with the latter even visiting the Sussexes in Montecito, the Duchess of York's recent comment paints a different picture.

Speaking to The Telegraph, she remarked on her connection with Meghan: "I don't really know Meghan, I haven't really met her."

An insider told the Express that Ferguson's statement might be a deliberate move to separate herself from Harry and Meghan, pointing out: "They were neighbours.

"Royal Lodge is basically next door to Frogmore and the Yorks and Sussexes met quite often. Sarah taught Meghan how to curtsey and there have been other meetings."

The source continued: "Both Harry and Meghan were quite surprised by Sarah's comments and couldn't understand why she would distance herself like that. It has caused a bit of distance between the families."

Furthermore, the source acknowledged that Beatrice and Eugenie's bond with the Sussexes has weakened, stating: "Beatrice and Eugenie have firmly pledged their allegiance to the Royal Family.

"They haven't communicated with the Sussexes for a while now. They are nowhere near as close as they once were."

Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Princess Eugenie and her spouse Jack Brooksbank, parents to young August and Ernest, were once considered very close to the Sussexes.

However, Eugenie and Jack maintain a friendship with Prince William as well, evidenced by Princess Eugenie and her sister Beatrice's presence in support of the future king at a Buckingham Palace garden party back in May.

A source disclosed: "Eugenie and Jack are very careful about what they say to friends because they don't want to be seen as bad-mouthing Harry or Meghan."

The insider added that while there is still a friendly connection, "There's still a friendship there but it's not like the close family bond they had before Harry moved to America."

Notably, Eugenie and Jack also lead an international lifestyle, dividing their time between London and Portugal.

Despite Beatrice and Eugenie attending the garden party, such an event wouldn't have come as a shock to Prince Harry, given his understanding of royal expectations.

Commenting on the matter, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: "He wouldn't think [bad about it] at all. He would expect them to [attend]. It's a garden party, that's not a question at all."

Fitzwilliams also noted: "Eugenie, particularly, he's [Harry] got good relations with, we know that. There might be in some future time that it might be useful in healing the rift."

Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.