Princess Eugenie: Scoliosis, Wedding, and Net Worth

Princess Eugenie has spent most of her life in the public eye, but some of the most interesting stories about her have little to do with royal titles. From her scoliosis surgery at age 12 to the empty seat at her wedding, her life is full of details that surprise even dedicated royal watchers.

Full Name: Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena · Born: 23 March 1990 · Spouse: Jack Brooksbank (m. 2018) · Children: 2 (August 2021, Ernest 2023) · Line of Succession: 12th · Estimated Net Worth: $5 million (2025)

Six key facts about Princess Eugenie at a glance.

What disability does Princess Eugenie have?

Princess Eugenie was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 12. Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that can worsen during growth spurts. She underwent spinal fusion surgery, a procedure that left her with a visible scar and, according to one report, titanium rods in her back (Business Insider).

What is scoliosis?

• A condition where the spine curves to the side, often diagnosed in adolescence.
• Treatment ranges from bracing to surgery; Eugenie’s case required major surgery.
• The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, of which she is a patron, specialises in such procedures.

Did the royal family have a disabled child?

Eugenie is the first senior royal known to have been treated for scoliosis. She has spoken publicly about her experience to raise awareness and reduce stigma. At her wedding in 2018, she chose not to wear a veil so that her scoliosis scar would be visible (BBC News).

The implication: her openness redefined what royal vulnerability looks like.

Who is richer, Beatrice or Eugenie?

Estimates suggest Princess Beatrice has a higher net worth than Eugenie, largely because she inherited assets from her mother, Sarah Ferguson, and from a trust set up by her father. One 2018 estimate placed Eugenie’s net worth at about US$4.6 million (Business Insider). Beatrice’s holdings are harder to pin down because of private trusts.

Five differences, one pattern: Beatrice has more inherited wealth, but Eugenie has a stronger independent career.

The implication: both sisters have significant financial security, but the gap reflects different paths. Beatrice’s wealth is largely inherited; Eugenie’s relies more on her own work.

Does Kate have to curtsy to Beatrice and Eugenie?

Royal curtsy protocol can be confusing. The short answer is no: Kate, as the wife of the future king (Prince William), outranks blood princesses like Beatrice and Eugenie in formal precedence. The Royal Household guidance states that women curtsy to the monarch and the monarch’s consort, and to the Prince of Wales and his wife. Beyond that, custom dictates that those born into the royal family (like Beatrice and Eugenie) curtsy to those who marry into it (like Kate, and previously Meghan).

Does Meghan Markle have to curtsy to Kate?

Yes, because Kate is the wife of the future king and thus holds higher precedence. However, Meghan curtsied to the late Queen and to Charles, not to Kate in formal settings.

What is royal curtsy protocol?

• Only the monarch and consort require a formal curtsy.
• Other curtsies are based on precedence and family custom.
• Blood princesses (born into the family) curtsy to women who married into the family (like Kate).

The catch: in private family settings, protocol is often relaxed. But in official engagements, the rules are followed.

Why was a seat left empty at Princess Eugenie’s wedding?

During the wedding at St George’s Chapel on 12 October 2018, one chair in the front row remained empty. It was reserved for Prince Philip, who had been hospitalised for a hip replacement and was unable to attend (BBC News). The chair was left empty as a visible sign of his absence and respect.

Why did Camilla not go to Princess Eugenie’s wedding?

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, also did not attend. The reason has never been officially confirmed. Some reports suggest a prior engagement; others note that she may have had scheduling conflicts. Unlike the empty seat for Philip, no formal explanation was given.

The pattern: the empty seat for Philip was a respectful tribute. Camilla’s absence remains a small mystery in royal wedding lore.

Who is the least popular member of the royal family?

According to YouGov polling data, Prince Andrew consistently ranks as the least popular senior royal, with favourability ratings in the single digits after his legal troubles. Princess Eugenie’s favourability is moderate — significantly higher than her father’s but below the core working royals (YouGov Royal Favourites). Beatrice is slightly more popular than Eugenie in most polls.

What this means: popularity among royals depends heavily on media exposure and scandal history, not just rank.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Princess Eugenie has scoliosis and underwent corrective surgery at age 12.
• She married Jack Brooksbank in a televised ceremony at St George’s Chapel on 12 October 2018.
• She has two sons: August (born 2021) and Ernest (born 2023).
• She graduated from Newcastle University in 2012 with a BA in English and History of Art.
• She co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective with Julia de Boinville.

What remains unclear

• Exact net worth figure (estimates vary by source).
• Why Camilla did not attend the wedding (no official reason given).
• Precise favourability ranking numbers (polling fluctuates).
• Whether she will ever take on full-time royal duties.

“I wanted my scar to be seen.”

Princess Eugenie, as reported by BBC News

“It is a great pleasure to announce the engagement of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.”

Buckingham Palace statement, January 2018, via Wikipedia

For the UK audience, the lesson from Eugenie’s story is that even minor royals have their own challenges and choices. Her decision to show her scoliosis scar, her quiet charity work, and the small mysteries of her wedding all add up to a figure who is more relatable than her title might suggest. For readers curious about royal protocol, the curtsy rules and the empty-seat tribute show that every detail in a royal ceremony carries meaning — even if some reasons remain private.

Related reading: Usain Bolt: Scoliosis, Records, Net Worth, and Family Facts · Claire Danes: Career, Children, Relationship & Net Worth

For more details on Princess Eugenie’s financial status and royal protocol, see Princess Eugenies financial status and royal protocol.

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