Prince Harry’s sweet two-year romance with Cressida Bonas lasted from 2012 to 2014, but a source exclusively tells In Touch she was such a huge hit with the royal family at the time, she remained a close friend to many of the prince’s family members and is even now a confidante to Harry and his wife Meghan Markle. 

“Cressida has always been a part of the aristocratic set and it’s not like she and Harry had a bad break-up, they ended on good terms so it’s not a surprise to anyone that she’s remained tight with his family,” the insider says.

Relationship rumors first began to fly in May 2012 after Princess Eugenie introduced the two. Harry, 40, wrote extensively about his romance with the actress, 36, in his 2023 memoire, Spare. 

The Duke of Sussex highlighted what he called a “painfully awkward” attempt at a kiss during their first date.

“I leaned in to give her a kiss, but my aim was off,” the prince recalled. “She turned, I tried again on the return trip and we managed something like a graze. 

“But then came the good news,” he continued. “Cressida was game to try again.”

Throughout the course of their relationship, Harry discovered he could open up about even the most tragic details of his life with Cressida, who, with “just the right blend of curiosity and compassion,” consoled the royal as he wept discussing his mother Princess Diana’s death.

“She was the first person to help me across that barrier, to help me unleash the tears,” the red-headed prince wrote, admitting it was the first time he had cried over his mother since her death in 1997. “It was cathartic, it accelerated our bond and added an element rare in past relationships: immense gratitude.”

Ultimately, the Invictus Games founder broke up the former model, reflecting, “Here was massive affection, deep and abiding loyalty — but not love everlasting.” She recovered fine from the “amicable split” and is now pregnant with her second child by husband Harry Wentworth-Stanley, who she married in 2020.

The source notes that even after the split, Cressida is still “especially close to Eugenie, but she’s friendly with Beatrice and with William and Kate as well.” 

“She’s just a very easygoing and likable person,” the insider adds. “She avoids gossip and drama and is someone that’s known to blend well with any group, so she’s often invited to royal gatherings. She even made the guest list for Harry’s wedding, which says a lot.” 

Although there’s no public competition between the ex and Meghan, 43, the source adds their similar interests may eventually lead to a rift.

“You’d think Meghan would have been bothered having her at the wedding, but if she was, she never let it show. And she doesn’t seem to take any issue with Cressida being so cozy with his family. Of course, now that Cressida has launched her own podcast right when Meghan’s about to roll out hers, that could change.”