Princess Eugenie has confirmed she is expecting her third child, marking a rare moment of good news for the royal family amid the ongoing scandal surrounding her father, Prince Andrew.
The 36-year-old, who is 12th in line to the throne, revealed the exciting news in an official Buckingham Palace statement, shared across the royal family’s social media channels. Her unborn child will be 15th in line to the throne, pushing her uncle, Prince Edward, down to 16th.
The announcement comes as a sign that Eugenie remains firmly part of The Firm, with the statement showing strong support from King Charles, who expressed his delight about the news. However, interestingly, there was no mention of the child’s grandparents, Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, in the announcement.
Despite the shadow of the Epstein scandal that has marred her parents’ reputations, Eugenie continues to receive the King’s backing. This marks a clear attempt to separate her and her sister Beatrice from the negative fallout surrounding their father.
The couple’s sons, August, five, and Ernest, two, were said to be “very excited” to welcome their new sibling. Eugenie shared a photo on Instagram of her sons holding up a baby scan, a heartwarming image of family joy amidst the ongoing royal turbulence.
In her social media post, Eugenie wrote: “Baby Brooksbank due 2026!” alongside a series of heart and baby emojis. The announcement was seen as a show of royal solidarity with Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, despite the controversies engulfing her father.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the couple’s pregnancy news, adding that the new arrival would be the 15th great-grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Eugenie and Jack’s announcement comes just months after Princess Beatrice gave birth to Athena Mapelli Mozzi in January 2025, further growing the family.
In another notable sign of support, King Charles invited Eugenie and Beatrice to spend Christmas at Sandringham, despite the ongoing scandal involving their father. This gesture underlines the monarch’s efforts to maintain close ties with his nieces, even as their family faces public scrutiny.
Eugenie’s announcement and the public backing from the King stand in stark contrast to the scandal engulfing her father, Andrew, who has been accused of misconduct in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein case. The scandal has not only tainted his own reputation but has also cast a shadow over his daughters.
Both Eugenie and Beatrice have been notably absent from recent royal events, including the Easter Sunday service in Windsor. However, the sisters have maintained a close bond and were seen together in Mayfair, London, earlier this week, appearing in high spirits.
The couple’s announcement follows a challenging period for the family, particularly in the wake of Andrew’s scandal, but Eugenie’s pregnancy brings a welcome piece of positive news for the royal family, just as her uncle Edward’s position in the line of succession is altered by the birth of this child.
As Eugenie prepares for the arrival of her third child, her role within the royal family remains strong, despite the tumult surrounding her parents. Will this new addition help shift the focus back to the family’s brighter moments?
