Princess Eugenie

Painting a perfect picture of her life.On romance, being royal and her ‘truly special’ relationship with the queen.

- Kelly Allen

Ahead of attending Pippa Middleton’s wedding, Princess Eugenie gave a rare and revealing glimpse into her life as a young royal last week. As a guest speaker at London’s China Exchange, she harmed an audience that included her boyfriend Jack Brooksbank, sister Princess Beatrice, friend Cressida Bonas and friends from her university days on subjects ranging from life in New York, where she moved in 2014 to work for an online auction house, to her royal duties.

Eugenie, who graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2012 with a 2:1 degree in English literature, history of art and politics, is a director at Mayfair gallery Hauser & Wirth. She spoke with humour and sensitivity on deeply personal topics during an hour-long conversation with Hong Kong businessman Sir David Tang, the founder of China Exchange, as part of a series of talks from “exceptional people with extraordinary lives” at the former BT telephone exchange in Chinatown.The 27-year-old royal also told of her admiration for her family and told of date nights with Jack…

Where would you most like to wake up?

“At our student house in Newcastle – seven girls living in a house. I love to remind myself of days of living at university, it was very happy… Or my bed at home in Royal Lodge [in Windsor Great Park].”

What is your perfect day?

“Breakfast of avocado and toast, probably in New York, where I used to live. After, I’d watch my favourite film, True Romance. Lunch would be in a little restaurant in Italy that Jack and I love then I’d come back to London and go to the Tate or the Royal Academy.”

What is the most romantic place for dinner?