Yesterday, we reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had handed over the keys to their United Kingdom residence of Frogmore Cottage to Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank. Now, sources are saying that this was done “behind the backs” of senior members of the royal family, who were left “blindsided” by the move.

“Senior royals were initially blindsided by the idea for Harry and Meg to let Eugenie and Jack move in,” a source told The Sun. “Obviously the Queen was told after the couples had spoken about the plan. But it is very much a deal done between Harry, Meghan, Eugenie and Jack. There is a close bond between them.”

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace released a brief statement, saying that “Frogmore Cottage is the private residence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and as such any arrangements are a matter for them.”

Another source said that Eugenie and Jack appeared to try and stay under the radar when they moved into the Windsor home.

“Removal vans pitched up in the dead of the night and cleared out the cottage. They definitely did not want to be seen,” the insider said. “Emptying their home and handing over the keys is a pretty strong sign Harry and Meghan have no plans to return. It appears they are tying up loose ends as they plan to extend their stay in the US perhaps permanently.”

Harry and Meghan shocked the world earlier this year when they stepped down as senior royals and moved across the world to Santa Barbara, California with their 1 year-old son, Archie.

“Frogmore was kitted out to Meghan and Harry’s tastes with son Archie in mind, so it is the perfect place for a couple to bring up a baby,” the source said. “It has the bonus of being around the corner from her parents and, of course, the Queen. Harry and Meghan didn’t fancy Frogmore for whatever reason but Jack and Eugenie are delighted with it.”

Eugenie and Jack got married in 2018, and they have been living at Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace ever since. They are currently expecting their first child together.