Princess Eugenie has paid tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg following the actress’s passing. The 39-year-old star of Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer was discovered deceased at her New York City residence on Wednesday. Authorities have initiated an investigation into her death, but they have stated that “criminality is not suspected.”
In an Instagram post today, Princess Eugenie expressed her gratitude to Trachtenberg for the “many memories” they shared. “Goodbye, special friend. You are so loved and missed,” she wrote. “Thank you for all the laughter and fun. You were incredibly thoughtful, generous, and so funny. My favorite memory is listening to you order food with such precision, ensuring we all got exactly what we wanted.”
Eugenie reflected on Trachtenberg’s vibrant spirit and the joy she brought to many. Having previously lived in New York, Eugenie was seen attending a basketball game at Madison Square Garden with Trachtenberg in 2013.
Over the years, Trachtenberg frequently shared updates on social media featuring the princess. In 2020, she referred to Eugenie as “one of the most dearest, kindest, most genuine friends I have ever had in my life,” and four years earlier, she noted, “There are few people in life that you meet that you know are true and real. This lady happens to be one of them.”
Trachtenberg was widely recognized for her roles as Dawn Summers in Buffy, the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character, and as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl. Gellar honored her co-star by sharing a series of photos and a heartfelt message referencing a scene from 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.”
James Marsters, who portrayed Spike in Buffy, expressed his sorrow on Instagram, stating, “My heart is heavy today. We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, leaving behind many who knew and loved her.” Several of Trachtenberg’s Gossip Girl co-stars have also shared their tributes.