Princess Eugenie shares emotional tribute to ‘special...

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.

Image Credit: The Sun [Photo of two women embracing.]

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.

Image Credit: The Sun [Close-up selfie of a woman with dark hair and sunglasses.]

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.

Image Credit: The Sun [Michelle Trachtenberg and Princess Eugenie of York at a basketball game.]

"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.

Image Credit: The Sun [Group photo of Princess Eugenie with friends.]

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.".

Image Credit: The Sun [Michelle Trachtenberg at the 15 Years of Siriano party.]

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.".

Image Credit: The Sun [Chace Crawford, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Leighton Meester in a scene from Gossip Girl.]

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.

Image Credit: The Sun [Low-angle view of The Columbia Place, a tall brick residential building.]

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.

Image Credit: The Sun [Michelle Trachtenberg and her mother at her 21st birthday party.]

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:. The star also made cameo appearances in major TV shows:. Although she hadn't appeared on screen in recent years, she always kept fans up to date on social media with regular Instagram posts.

Image Credit: The Sun [Instagram post of a couple with comments.]

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.

Image Credit: The Sun [NYC official vehicle parked outside One Columbus Place.]

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.".

Image Credit: The Sun [Rosie O'Donnell and Michelle Trachtenberg in *Harriet the Spy*.]

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.".

Image Credit: The Sun [Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg walking on a city street, a still from *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*.]

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.