Princess Eugenie chose to reveal her surgical scar to inspire others with scoliosis
In short: When Princess Eugenie married in 2018, she made a deliberate choice to wear a gown that showcased the scar from her childhood spinal surgery. This public display was not a fashion statement, but a calculated effort to support those living with the same condition and honor her medical journey.
Born in 1990 to the Duke and Duchess of York, Eugenie Victoria Helena is a niece of King Charles III. Her early life included significant medical challenges; at age 12, she underwent a major operation at London's Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital to correct scoliosis. Surgeons implanted two 300-millimetre titanium rods into her spine, a procedure that successfully addressed the curvature without requiring further intervention. This experience became a cornerstone of her later public work, leading her to become a patron of the Scoliosis Association UK and the hospital's own charity.
Beyond her royal duties, Eugenie has pursued a career in the art world, holding positions at Paddle8 and the gallery Hauser & Wirth. Her philanthropic focus is notably diverse, ranging from environmental advocacy to the fight against modern slavery. In 2017, she co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective with Julia de Boinville, an initiative that eventually expanded into a podcast titled Floodlight. She has also served as an ambassador for various organizations, including the Blue Marine Foundation and Project 0, which focuses on plastic pollution in the oceans.
Eugenie's relationship with the institution of the monarchy has been marked by shifts in protocol and public scrutiny. While she has represented the royal family at various events, including the vigil for Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, she does not receive a Privy Purse allowance. Reports indicate that her taxpayer-funded security was removed in 2011, a decision reportedly influenced by her uncle, King Charles III, amid concerns regarding the costs associated with non-working royals. Today, she balances these royal expectations with a private life that has seen her reside in locations ranging from Kensington Palace to Portugal, where she lives with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and their three children.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Princess Eugenie
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