Princess Eugenie: The secret life of a princess

Princess Eugenie reveals her daily routine, family bonds and her penchant for Netflix, and vodka and sodas. Photo / Getty

Elegantly clad in a romantic flowing gown as she poses for a magazine shoot, Princess Eugenie looks for all the world like a young Grace Kelly.

But when she opens her mouth, it's a different story - as she reveals her favourite snack is the very unprincesslike cashew nuts covered in mustard, she can't resist a vodka with soda, and often spends an evening in front of Netflix.

In the candid interview, the Queen's granddaughter describes her father, Prince Andrew, as her family's "rock", calls her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York, "mumsy", and admits (one presumes ironically) the thing most likely to surprise people about her is that she has "a full-time job".

An associate director at the contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth, she has surprised the naysayers. Photo / Harper's Bazaar

Eugenie, 26, who is now eighth in line to the throne, was always seen as the party-loving member of the York family (she was reprimanded after being caught 'frolicking' naked in her school grounds).

Now an associate director at the contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth, she has surprised the naysayers - although she has found time to pose for US magazine Harper's Bazaar in a $13,600 designer gown to chat about her "typical" day in her life as a modern royal.

The shoot, which sees Eugenie sport a gown by Alberta Ferretti and $7,200 dress by one of the Duchess of Cambridge's favourite designers, Erdem, as well as dripping with Bulgari and Harry Winston gems, took place at Andrew's Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge.

Once owned by the Queen Mother, it was refurbished by the prince and the pictures offer a glimpse of its lavish furnishings for the first time.

Eugenie reveals that her newly-trim figure is no accident, saying she gets up at 6.45 am to exercise.

Princess Eugenie poses for the September issue of Harper's Bazaar. Photo / Harper's Bazaar

She either goes to a London park or an "amazing" women-only gym called Grace Belgravia - the same workout spot frequented by Cara Delevingne - and comes with a hefty $10,000-a-year membership fee.

On her way home, she'll pick up groceries at a nearby Waitrose before showering and dressing for the day.

She says: "My first conversation is often with my mum, saying, 'Good morning, what are you doing today?' Or it's with my boyfriend, Jack. Or it's my doggie Jack - yes, my boyfriend and my dog have the same name - total accident!"

Eugenie does admit to some bad habits though - doing her make up in the car as she races to the office at 8.45am. "I do my makeup in the car. I'm really good at doing it on the move!" she boasts.

In Eugenie's world, work appears to start in earnest at 10am. "I love being able to share my passion for art with people."

Naturally, for a fashion shoot, she goes into great detail about her outfit for the day - mid-range labels such as Sandro and Maje are favourites, as well as Zara and Topshop.

"I've started wearing high heels, which is so grown-up. But they're painful by the end of the day," reveals the princess, who says she normally just lives in ankle boots.

For lunch she tends to pop out to upmarket London deli Detox Kitchen, but her drinks are
less healthy, 'everything from green tea to coffee, Diet Coke to fizzy water.'

Her evenings are often tied up - or so she claims - with engagements related to her family or a charity she supports. Her employers are 'very accommodating' of her 'sense of duty' - letting her leave the office at 5pm.

Off duty, she often goes out for dinner - Bocca di Lupo and the Palomar in Soho are favourites.

She collects restaurant cards, as well as airplane tickets - not surprisingly, for the daughter of Air Miles Andy.

She also admits to a liking for pizza from London spot Basilico, washed down with vodka and soda with loads of lime. "Can't beat that," Eugenie trills. Her other indulgences?

"Chips - fries, as you say - Diet Coke, nuts! Cashew nuts with mustard are the best. Netflix."

She reveals that her bedroom is "full of photos my parents have taken". She adds: "Mumsy took one of an elephant spraying water on its back, which is incredible."

Asked what she couldn't live without, Eugenie says: "My family. That sounds cheesy, but I really can't.

Especially my mum. I wouldn't be able to make tough decisions without her. And my sister. My father as well. He's the rock. And I couldn't live without my doggies."