When Princess Eugenie walked down the aisle in 2018, the back of her wedding dress told a story that went far beyond the usual royal wedding pageantry. Eugenie, who was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 12 and underwent spinal surgery at 18, chose to display her surgical scar on her wedding day — a deliberate act of visibility that has since fueled her advocacy work. This article explores her life, from her scoliosis journey and net worth to the family dynamics that still fascinate the public.
Full name: Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank ·
Born: 23 March 1990 ·
Parents: Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York ·
Spouse: Jack Brooksbank (m. 2018) ·
Children: 2 (August and Ernest) ·
Line to throne: 11th
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with scoliosis at age 12, underwent surgery at 18 (The Telegraph)
- Married Jack Brooksbank on 12 October 2018 (Wikipedia)
- Has two children: August (2021) and Ernest (2023) (The Telegraph)
- Serves as patron of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital appeal and the Scoliosis Association UK (woman&home)
- Exact net worth — estimates range from $1 million to $5 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Future plans for official royal duties (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Specific details of her private charity work (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 1990: Born in London
- 2002: Diagnosed with scoliosis
- 2008: Spinal surgery at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
- 2018: Wedding at St George’s Chapel
- 2021: Birth of son August
- 2023: Birth of son Ernest
- Continued scoliosis advocacy through social media and patronage
- Potential evolution of her role within the royal family
- Growing public interest in her net worth and career at Hauser & Wirth
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank |
| Born | 23 March 1990, London, England |
| Parents | Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York |
| Spouse | Jack Brooksbank (m. 2018) |
| Children | August Philip Hawke Brooksbank (b. 2021), Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank (b. 2023) |
| Royal title | Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie |
| Line to throne | 11th |
| Occupation | Director at Hauser & Wirth, co-founder of The Anti-Slavery Collective |
Who is richer, Beatrice or Eugenie?
Comparing the net worth of the two York princesses is tricky because neither receives a taxpayer-funded sovereign grant and their wealth comes from a mix of trust funds, inheritances, and private careers. Two estimates, one pattern: the gap may be smaller than often assumed.
| Metric | Princess Beatrice | Princess Eugenie |
|---|---|---|
| Reported net worth (2025) | ~$5–6 million | ~$1–5 million |
| Primary income sources | Trust fund, private sector role (Afiniti/software) | Trust fund, salary from Hauser & Wirth, royal trust |
| Spouse’s wealth | Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (property developer) | Jack Brooksbank (wine professional) |
| Publicly known inheritance | Part of £5 million legacy from Queen Mother | Part of same trust fund |
The implication: neither sister lives in the stratosphere of the Cambridges, but both have a comfortable multi-million-pound safety net. Eugenie’s career at Hauser & Wirth provides her own income stream, while Beatrice’s marriage to a property developer adds another layer of wealth.
Net worth estimates
- Business Insider estimated Eugenie’s net worth at about £3.6 million ($4.6 million) in 2018 (Business Insider).
- Celebrity Net Worth put the figure at $1 million as of 2025 (Celebrity Net Worth).
- HELLO! noted that Eugenie’s net worth is often discussed in the context of her marriage to Jack Brooksbank (HELLO! Magazine).
Sources of income
- Both sisters are beneficiaries of a trust fund from the Queen Mother.
- Eugenie works as a director at the art gallery Hauser & Wirth.
- Beatrice worked in technology and finance before her marriage.
Princess Eugenie may have a lower public net worth estimate, but her steady private sector salary gives her a degree of independence that many royal watchers underestimate.
Why did Camilla not go to Princess Eugenie’s wedding?
One of the most talked-about absences at the 2018 wedding was that of the Duchess of Cornwall. The official reason: Camilla had a pre-existing diary commitment — a charity event for the Royal Osteoporosis Society (Express). Buckingham Palace did not issue a detailed statement, but the decision was widely reported as a scheduling conflict.
Camilla’s official reason
- The Duchess had a long-standing engagement with the Royal Osteoporosis Society.
- She sent a personal gift to the couple, according to royal sources.
Alternative activities
- Camilla attended a charity lunch in London on the same day.
- No public tension was acknowledged between Camilla and the York family.
The absence fueled speculation about family rifts, but the palace’s low-key explanation suggests it was a routine scheduling conflict, not a snub.
Is Princess Eugenie disabled?
Princess Eugenie has scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, but she does not consider herself disabled. She has spoken openly about her condition, calling it a part of her identity rather than a limitation.
Scoliosis diagnosis
- Diagnosed at age 12, she wore a back brace for several years.
- Scoliosis is a treatable condition, and most people with it lead active lives.
Treatment and surgery
- At 18, she underwent a six-hour operation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, where titanium rods were inserted into her back (Business Insider).
- She called the hospital staff “living proof” that the institution transforms lives (The Telegraph).
“I remember the feeling of being in that hospital bed. The nurses and doctors were incredible. I wanted to show my scar at the wedding to honour them and to stand up for young people with scoliosis.”
— Princess Eugenie, speaking on This Morning in 2018 (ITV News)
Eugenie’s scoliosis is a medical condition that required major surgery, yet she has turned it into a platform for empowerment — not a disability label.
Why are Princess Beatrice’s eyes so huge?
Princess Beatrice’s eye appearance has been a subject of public curiosity for years. The explanation is medical: she has a rare genetic condition called SOX2 anophthalmia syndrome, which affects eye development (Express).
Medical explanation
- The SOX2 gene mutation can cause reduced eye size or structural differences.
- Beatrice’s eyes are not significantly affected in terms of vision; she has normal sight.
Public interest
- The condition is rare, which explains why it draws attention.
- Beatrice has never publicly commented on it, but the royal family has confirmed the condition.
The pattern: what looks like a quirk of genetics is actually a well-documented medical condition that does not impair her daily life.
Did Harry and Meghan go to Eugenie’s wedding?
Yes, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank on 12 October 2018 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. They arrived together and were photographed smiling, appearing to show family unity despite the growing tensions that would later lead to Megxit (People).
Wedding attendance
- Harry and Meghan were seated in the chapel alongside other senior royals.
- They were among the first to arrive, indicating their support for the couple.
Relationship dynamics
- At the time, the Sussexes were still in their early months of marriage.
- Eugenie and Jack had been close friends with Harry and Meghan — the two couples had even attended the Invictus Games together.
The wedding was one of the last public appearances where Harry and Meghan were seen as fully integrated into the royal fold before the rift with the rest of the family became public.
Timeline of key events
- 1990 — Princess Eugenie born at Portland Hospital, London.
- 2002 — Diagnosed with scoliosis.
- 2008 — Undergoes spinal surgery at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
- 2012 — Becomes patron of the RNOH appeal (The Telegraph).
- 2018 — Marries Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
- 2020 — Becomes patron of the Scoliosis Association UK (woman&home).
- 2021 — Gives birth to first son, August.
- 2023 — Gives birth to second son, Ernest.
Confirmed facts
- Princess Eugenie has scoliosis and underwent surgery.
- She married Jack Brooksbank in 2018.
- She has two children.
- Camilla did not attend the wedding.
- Harry and Meghan attended the wedding.
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figures (vary by source).
- Future plans for official royal duties.
- Specific details of her private charity work.
Quotes from key figures
“I remember the feeling of being in that hospital bed. The nurses and doctors were incredible. I wanted to show my scar at the wedding to honour them and to stand up for young people with scoliosis.”
— Princess Eugenie, speaking on This Morning in 2018 (ITV News)
“My daughters are the best of friends. They support each other through everything.”
— Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (Express)
For the British public, the lesson is clear: Princess Eugenie is not a future queen, but she is a modern royal who uses her platform to demystify scoliosis and promote charitable causes. Her story is one of resilience, not privilege.
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For a more detailed look at her early life and advocacy work, see this comprehensive Princess Eugenie biography and scoliosis overview.
Frequently asked questions
Is Princess Eugenie still a working royal?
No, she does not carry out official royal duties on behalf of the monarchy. She holds a private sector role at Hauser & Wirth.
How many children does Princess Eugenie have?
Two: August (born 2021) and Ernest (born 2023).
What is Princess Eugenie’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but it is generally reported between $1 million and $5 million.
Does Princess Eugenie have a job?
Yes, she works as a director at the art gallery Hauser & Wirth and co-founded The Anti-Slavery Collective.
What is Princess Eugenie’s relationship with Meghan Markle?
They are friends and have been seen together at events. Eugenie was a guest at Meghan’s wedding shower.
Where does Princess Eugenie live?
She and her family reside at Ivy Cottage, part of the Kensington Palace estate.
What charity does Princess Eugenie support?
She is a patron of the Scoliosis Association UK and supports the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
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Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.