Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie of York (Eugenie Victoria Helena Mountbatten-Windsor; born March 23, 1990) is a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, with whom she is very close. Princess Eugenie has been sixth in the Line of succession to the British Throne since her birth, and since her birth in 1990 the first seven positions in the line of succession have remained unchanged.
Early life
Princess Eugenie was born on March 23, 1990 at the Portland Hospital in London. Her father is The Prince Andrew, Duke of York, the third child and the second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Her mother is Sarah, Duchess of York, (née Sarah Ferguson), the daughter of Major Ronald Ferguson and Susan Barrantes. She was named after Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. She has an older sister, Princess Beatrice, who was born in 1988.
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She was christened on 23 December 1990, during morning service at the church of St. Mary Magdalene, Sandringham, the first royal baby to have a public christening. She was christened by the Bishop of Norwich. Her godparents were: James Ogilvy, Captain Alastair Ross; Mrs. Ronald Ferguson; Mrs. Patrick Dodd-Noble; and Miss Louise Blacker.
As a granddaughter of the British monarch in the male line, Eugenie is styled as a Princess of the United Kingdom with the style Her Royal Highness, and is therefore styled Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York. Eugenie and her sister, Beatrice, are the only granddaughters of the Queen to hold the title of Princess and the style of Her Royal Highness.
Education
Princess Eugenie first attended nursery school at Winkfield Montessori, Surrey in 1992. She then joined her sister at Upton House School, Windsor. Beatrice and Eugenie were transferred to prep school, Cowarth Park, in Surrey in 1994. In 2001 she passed her Common Entrance Examination and attended St George's School, Windsor for two years. In 2003, Princess Eugenie began her higher education at Marlborough College in Wiltshire where she chose to become a boarder.
Health
In October 2002 Princess Eugenie, then aged twelve, underwent a back surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London to prevent her scoliosis from worsening. She since has made a full recovery, and is not expected to undergo any further surgery for that condition.
Home life
Princess Eugenie's parents, the Duke and Duchess of York, were divorced in 1996 when Princess Eugenie was only 6. They separated in early 1992. They share joint custody of their two children. Eugenie enjoys spending her time with both parents. The divorce of her parents was very amicable. They all still reside together at the Duke's home, Royal Lodge in Windsor when the princesses are home from boarding school. Prince Andrew inherited Royal Lodge when the Queen Mother died in 2002.
Titles, Styles, Honours & Arms
Titles
- 1990-: Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York
Notes
It had been suggested that Princess Eugenie and her sister be stripped of both their HRH style and princess titles as part of a downsizing of the Royal Family, and become "The Lady Eugenie Windsor" and "The Lady Beatrice Windsor" respectively, the style possessed by daughters of a non-royal duke. Their father is said to be strongly opposed to this idea, as it is their legal birthright to possess the royal title of princess being that they are the granddaughters of a sovereign in the male line.
Due to a curverture of the spine, Eugenie underwent an operation at the age of 12. It was reported to be a complete success and she has since made a full recovery.
She and her sister Beatrice are the only granddaughters of the Queen to hold the title of Princess, her elder cousin Zara Phillips is untitled, at the specific request of her parents and her younger cousin Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, has been styled The Lady Louise at the specific request of her parents. Lady Louise remains, however, a Princess in the absence of letters patent and can, therefore, chose to adopt her legal title once she comes of age, should she wish to.