Harry and Meghan 'astonished' as Beatrice and Eugenie plot project …

Eyebrows were raised last week when images emerged of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie with TV host Piers Morgan - one of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's most outspoken critics. The royal siblings met up with Piers and other pals, including chart-topping singer James Blunt, at The Princess Royal pub in London's Notting Hill, and were seen laughing and joking with the presenter as they left the venue. "After everything Piers has said about them as a couple - especially Meghan, who he's called so many names - Harry and Meghan are astonished that they've gone behind their backs," said our source.

But it's claimed Beatrice, 34, and Eugenie, 33, don't feel like they've done anything wrong, and prior to the Sussexes' move to the US and the publication of Harry's damning memoir Spare, the sisters - particularly Eugenie - enjoyed a close relationship with Harry and Meghan.

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"It will be interesting to see how Harry interacts with his cousins during the coronation," our source added. Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, put on brave faces last Monday when they were pictured laughing and cuddling up to one another at an NBA game in Los Angeles. While the friendliness between Piers and the Duke and Duchess of York's two daughters came as a surprise to many, OK! can reveal that the former Good Morning Britain presenter is trying to curry favour with the girls in the hope of securing an interview with them on his TalkTV show.

Piers' feelings for Beatrice and Eugenie - currently pregnant with her second child - are in stark contrast to his views on Harry and Meghan, who were frequently the subjects of the TV presenter's tirades when he co-hosted GMB. His commentary on the couple's interview with Oprah Winfrey famously resulted in his resignation after more than 57,000 Ofcom complaints flooded in.

But last week a separate source told OK! that the princesses are on board with the idea of being grilled by Piers, 58 - and have even asked their uncle the King's permission. "It won't be a Harry and Meghan-style interview, because they have requested permission from the King and the interview will portray the family in a very positive light," said our source.

"Eugenie and Beatrice are keen to put their side across and talk about their new lives." The bond Piers seems to share with the two royals also came as a shock to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond. "I was astonished - I find these pictures absolutely extraordinary," she says.

I don't know what the relationship with Piers Morgan is, but I think it does compromise their relationship - particularly Eugenie's relationship with Harry. "I can't imagine either of them, Meghan in particular, would be comfortable seeing [Harry's] cousin really embracing Piers Morgan. And not just a quick handshake or peck on the cheek, but a full-blown hug.

"I find it odd that senior members of the royal family consort with journalists who are quite critical of what they do."

Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie's bond, in particular, has often been remarked upon. In Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand's book, Finding Freedom: Harry And Meghan And The Making Of A Modern Royal Family, they described the cousins' closeness, saying, "Eugenie had always been more than just a cousin to Harry. "They were also the closest of friends.

Out of all the Queen's grandchildren, Harry and Eugenie have one of the most natural connections. Like Harry, Eugenie is loyal, honest and great fun. The two had many nights out together in London.

"Harry had always confided in his cousin when it came to the women in his life. Not only did he trust her implicitly, but friends say that she gives great advice and has always been 'beyond wise' for her years."

However, our source claimed relations have become strained due to a number of factors, one being comments made by Sarah, Duchess of York, on American television. "Sarah did an interview recently where she said she didn't know Meghan that well.

It would have come as a shock to the Sussexes, because as far as they were aware they were firm friends," said our source. "It's especially difficult because Harry fought to have the Duchess of York at his wedding when the royals were so adamant that she should not attend. He had to stick his neck out to allow her to be part of the wedding.

It caused arguments between him and his brother." While living at Frogmore Cottage, the Sussexes were a stone's throw from Royal Lodge, where the Duchess still resides with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew. While there, they met many times, along with the princesses.

"She even taught Meghan how to curtsy," the source added.

Further tensions are said to have emerged when Eugenie was handed the keys to Meghan and Harry's home, Frogmore Cottage. "Let's just say that move didn't go down particularly well," the source claimed. "To start with, everyone was happy and going along with the new family living arrangements, but once Sarah started distancing herself from Harry and Meghan, it turned a bit sour. Eugenie and Beatrice were the only allies the Sussexes had.

Now it appears they've lost them." The suggestion that members of the royal family are distancing themselves from the Sussexes came just days before Prince Harry was due to arrive back in British for his father's coronation. Last month, Buckingham Palace confirmed the news that the duke would be making the journey alone with a brief statement that read, "The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."

While Harry's return to the UK is causing a stir, it seems life stateside is much more settled for the couple.

Following their loved-up display at the basketball game last week - where they even featured on the "kiss cam" at the Crypto.com Arena - Jennie Bond told us she's pleased to see them looking so content. "They look perfectly relaxed to me and I'm very glad about that," she says. "I'm glad that Meghan hasn't felt the need to parade herself around publicly for the last few days. "They both appear to be doing what the media have been telling them to do for a long time, which is if you're happy in the States, just be happy.

Don't keep jumping up and criticising the royal family. Just get on with your life and be happy. To me, it looks as if that's what they are doing."

As to the recent reports that Harry feels homesick, Jennie believes he'll weather that storm given time. "I'm sure he does miss aspects of home. He probably misses a pint of beer and fish and chips, and he will miss his friends," she admitted. "But at the same time, he is also feeling very settled and I'm genuinely pleased if they feel their feet are now on the ground.

"They've said what they want to say and now they're just getting on with a life that doesn't require them to step into the limelight every two seconds."

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