PRINCESS Eugenie has paid tribute to her "special friend" Michelle Trachtenberg, the Gossip Girl actress who passed away unexpectedly this week aged 39.
Michelle's body was found in her New York City apartment by her mom on Wednesday, and a cause of death has not yet been identified.
However, it has been reported that the actress had recently undergone a liver transplant – and recent selfies had left fans concerned for her health.
The former child actress – who shot to fame as Georgina Sparks in the teen drama series – bonded with the British princess while she was living and working in New York in 2013.
Taking to her Instagram today, Eugenie, 34, shared a pic of the pair beaming on a night out, and along with a heartfelt message.
It read: "Goodbye special friend. You are so loved and missed.
"Thank you for so many memories of laughter and fun. You were so thoughtful and generous and sooo funny.
"My favourite was listening to you order food, always done with precision so you got exactly what we all wanted.
"I'm thinking of you up there friend, of your spirit that was so bright and your joy you brought so many."
Pals Michelle and Eugenie enjoyed numerous public outings over the years – from a basketball game in New York at Madison Square Garden in 2013 to a tour of the Hauser & Wirth art gallery in LA in 2016.
On St Patrick's Day the same year, Michelle shared an Instagram post dedicated to the princess, who is the late Queen's granddaughter.
It read: "There are few people in life that you meet that you know are true and real.
"This lady happens to be one of them. Friends really do mean a lot. Happy #stpatricksday May luck of love and friends be with you."
In 2020, during the pandemic, Eugenie returned the favour.
Gushed about Michelle, she wrote: "I met this wonderful human. Years ago in New York. Eugenie, has been one of the most dearest, kindest, most genuine friends I have ever had in my life.
"As we are going through these very challenging times. I'm finding new levels of gratitude. I am grateful for the relationships I have made over the years."
Michelle was found at around 8 am at a building in Manhattan, New York City, located near Central Park, by her mother, police sources told ABC News.
On Thursday, it was reported that Michelle's family had declined an autopsy – leaving her cause of death undetermined.
However, insiders have claimed that she may have suffered fatal side effects following a recent liver transplant, ABC affiliate KFSN reported.
The actress's final outing was last Thursday night, when she went to Italian restaurant Sartiano's in New York City with friends, sources told TMZ.
Michelle Trachtenberg's career
Michelle Trachtenberg began her career as a child actress, starring in over 62 movies and TV shows before her sudden death at age 39.
Notable roles throughout her career include:
- 1994: Nona Mecklenberg in The Adventures of Pete & Pete
- 1996: Harriet in Harriet the Spy
- 1997: Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- 1999: Penny Brown in Inspector Gadget
- 2001: Hosted and narrated Truth or Scare
- 2004: Jenny in Euro Trip
- 2005: Casey Carlyle in Ice Princess
- 2006: Melissa in Black Christmas
- 2007: Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl
- 2009: Maggie in 17 Again
- 2015: Megan Phillips in The Christmas Gift
- 2022-2023: Georgina Sparks in the Gossip Girl reboot
The star also made cameo appearances in major TV shows:
- 2006: Lisa Tyler in Law and Order: Criminal Intent
- 2006: Melinda Bardach in House
- 2013: Lily Lockhart in NCIS: Los Angeles
- 2013: Diane Turner in Criminal Minds
Although she hadn't appeared on screen in recent years, she always kept fans up to date on social media with regular Instagram posts.
Last week, she shared a throwback from an awards show with the caption: "I wanted to look like naughty."
However, recent pictures of the actress had sparked concern among fans, who believed she looked unwell.
Eugenie joins a host of other celebrities to pay tribute to the star.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Michelle's on-screen sister in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, shared a series of pictures of the pair together.
Alongside it, she wrote, quoting the show: "Michelle listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you.
"The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you."
Meanwhile, Blake Lively, who starred alongside Michelle in Gossip Girl as Serena van der Woodsen, said on Instagram: "Everything she did, she did 200%.
"She laughed the fullest at someone's joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself."
Chace Crawford, who played Nate Archibald, added: "Michelle was one of a kind.
"I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it.
"She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you."
Ed Westwick, who played Chuck Bass – another key member of the fictional teen crew – added that the shock death was "so sad."
"Sending prayers," he added in the tragic Instagram story.
Meanwhile, Kim Cattrall of Sex and the City fame – who also starred in Ice Princess alongside the young actress in 2005 – shared a picture of the two together on set.
"Rest in peace sweet Michelle," she wrote on Instagram.
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