Full Title: Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena of York, Mrs Jack Brooksbank
Known as: HRH Princess Eugenie
Name at birth: HRH Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena of York
Date of birth: 23/03/1990
Did you know?... The Princess is the only one of the Queen’s grandchildren who was not christened in the traditional Lily Font, but instead had a public christening at St Mary Magdalene church at Sandringham, Norfolk.
Princess Eugenie is the second child of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and his former wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. Whilst Eugenie uses the title, “Princess,” with it’s, “HRH,” prefix, she is not considered a full-time working member of the royal family. Like her older sister Princess Beatrice, Eugenie has had to navigate life as royal princess, but one who is expected to live a fairly normal life. Both Eugenie and Beatrice have been criticised for their choices, with some claiming they take too much advantage of their positions and titles. But I am of the opinion that, especially in later years, the two sisters have learnt to strike the right balance.
Princess Eugenie grew up at her parent’s country home of Sunninghill Park, and later her father’s home at Royal Lodge, Windsor. When she was 6 years old her parents divorced, but maintained joint custody of their daughters. The York family have remained very close, holidaying together frequently, and being seen together at events such as Princess Beatrice’s university graduation, and other occasions. More recently, the Duchess of York has moved into the family home of Royal Lodge.
Both her parents have helped Eugenie and her sister forge charitable roles. Eugenie often attended charitable events, and visits and engagements, with her mother. With her father, she attended traditional royal occasions such as Trooping the Colour, and Royal Garden Parties. The Princess continues to be an active member of the family, carrying out royal duties on behalf of the Queen when asked, such as Garden Parties, and also taking on patronages and supporting the work of chosen charities. The causes she supports include the Teenage Cancer Trust, Project 0 which aims to rid the ocean of plastic, Anti-Slavery International, Children in Crisis, and The Tate Young Patrons.
When she was 12 years old, the princess underwent surgery for scoliosis, a spinal condition. Since then, the princess has become patron of the European School for Osteopathy, and was the patron of the redevelopment appeal of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. On her wedding day, the princess wore a dress designed with a low back so that her scar from scoliosis surgery could be seen. Her reason was to celebrate that scars are what make us stronger and should not be hidden.
The Princess was educated at a variety of public schools in and around Windsor, later boarding at Marlborough College, Wiltshire. After a gap year she attended Newcastle University, studying Art History, English Literature and Politics, gaining a 2:1 degree in Art History and English Literature. Since then, she has spent a year in New York working for Paddle8 as a benefit auctions manager, and then moved back to England to work for the art gallery Hauser & Wirth. Eugenie started as Associate Director, and in 2017 was promoted to director.
In 2018 Princess Eugenie married her long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank in a televised ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Jack Brooksbank is a Tequila Brand Ambassador, and they met at a ski resort, being introduced by mutual friends. The couple have a London residence at Ivy Cottage, Kensington Palace. In 2021 they welcomed their first child, a son called August Philip Hawke Brooksbank.
Despite the negative press surrounding her father since late 2019, Princess Eugenie has maintained her popularity. She continues to carry out her limited duties, and has learnt to not attract the wrong sort of press. With time, she has matured into a stable, kind, and dutiful member of the House of Windsor. She continues to shine a light on charitable causes, use her voice as conferences and events to affect positive change, and go quietly about her day to day life. I think she is an asset, and will continue to be a support to the monarchy, even if it is in a quiet, behind-the-scenes way, at private family occasions.