Princess Eugenie has announced she is pregnant with her third child, sharing the happy news amid the ongoing scandal surrounding her father, Prince Andrew. The youngest daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank already have two sons: August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, born February 9 2021, and Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, who turned three on May 30.
Royal Announcement
Buckingham Palace confirmed the pregnancy, stating that King Charles is "delighted" at the news. The announcement comes as the Royal Family continues to deal with the fallout from the Epstein scandal, which has seen Prince Andrew stripped of his titles and removed from his Royal Lodge home.
Public Sighting Sparks Rumours
Rumours of Eugenie's pregnancy first emerged when she was photographed alongside her husband and sister, Princess Beatrice, during a day out in Mayfair in early May. A royal fan posted the photos on social media, with some observers noting what appeared to be a growing baby bump. Witnesses described the sisters as being "in great spirits as they made the most of the sunshine."
Behind the Smiles
However, sources suggest that the strain of recent months has taken a toll, particularly on Beatrice, who is believed to be struggling to balance family loyalty with her position within the Royal Family. Body language analyst Judi James told the Mirror: "While Eugenie appears comfortable putting on a display of resilience and bravado for the cameras, sporting a wide wall-to-wall smile to suggest life is nothing other than perfect, her older sister Beatrice looks less able to bluff it out here, with her gestures and facial expression hinting that she has been hit hard by the fallout of her parent's dramas."
James added: "Beatrice walks behind her sister here, dressed in a very drab black on a warm sunny day, with her choice of outfit suggesting a desire to avoid attracting attention. She has her large bag clamped to the front of her body in a barrier gesture, with one hand held over the front of the bag suggesting a desire to self-protect. In another photo she has her arms folded over her torso which could also be a sign of vulnerability."
Andrew Scandal Continues
Both Beatrice and Eugenie have maintained a low profile as their parents remain embroiled in the ongoing Epstein scandal. Their father Andrew was stripped of his titles and evicted from his Royal Lodge home last year due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On Andrew's 66th birthday in February, he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was held in custody for 11 hours at a police station in Norfolk before being released, with Thames Valley Police confirming he is under investigation over claims he handed confidential information to Epstein while serving as trade envoy to the UK.
