Being a member of the royal family gets you lots of perks – the best education money can buy, trips to locations all across the globe, and a network of the most influential people in the world. What it can’t do is protect you from a debilitating medical condition like scoliosis – just ask Princess Eugenie of York.
Although she was fielding off pregnancy rumours in 2019, Princess Eugenie’s life could have been very different if she didn’t have an operation to correct her misaligned spine. Read on to learn more about scoliosis, Princess Eugenie’s struggle with it, and how the Princess is giving back to the healthcare community today.
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Who Is Princess Eugenie?
Princess Eugenie of York is the daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York. This also makes her the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and first cousins with Prince William and Prince Harry. She is tenth in line to succeed the British throne.
Although she doesn’t get a ‘royal allowance’, she does appear at official engagements as a member of the royal family and often in connection with her charity work. She and her sister Princess Beatrice are both Patrons of the Teenage Cancer Trust, and Eugenie is also an ambassador for Project 0, an anti-ocean pollution initiative.
This year, she also became the first member of the royal family to start a podcast. Alongside Anti-Slavery Collective founder Julia de Boinville, Princess Eugenie will be discussing slavery in the modern world.
Is Princess Eugenie Married? Does She Have Children?
Princess Eugenie was announced to marry Mr Jack Brooksbank, a wine merchant, in January 2018 after seven years of dating. They got married in a £2-million ($AUD 3.6-million) royal wedding in October of the same year. It was an even more notable occasion for Princess Eugenie since it was her first time wearing a tiara.
Despite persistent pregnancy rumours earlier in the year, Eugenie’s mum Sarah Ferguson has come out and denied that the couple is expecting.
What Is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is the medical term for having a curved spine. It’s not known what causes scoliosis, although both genetics and environmental factors seem to contribute to it. It can also be a result of another disorder or condition, such as cerebral palsy.
In moderate to extreme cases, people with scoliosis may suffer from upper back pain, limited range of movement, and respiratory issues. Treatment may involve wearing a back brace to correct the alignment of the spine as you grow, physical therapy, and/or surgery.
Everything You Need To Know About Princess Eugenie’s Scoliosis
When Was Princess Eugenie Diagnosed With Scoliosis?
Princess Eugenie was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 11. Although she had a relatively normal childhood, her scoliosis worsened to the point where she was in and out of hospitals.
The Princess had to wear a neck brace and could not engage in the same activities that her peers did. She once shared about her experience: “That was very frustrating and I remember being angry about not being able to run and play.”
In honour of the 2018 International Scoliosis Awareness Day, Princess Eugenie posted an Instagram photo of her x-rays for the first time.
Did Princess Eugenie Get Back Surgery?
At 12 years old, Princess Eugenie underwent a major operation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore. Scoliosis surgery involves fusing the patient’s vertebrae together using titanium rods and screws so that the spine heals in a single, straight line.
It took seven hours on the operating table and several weeks of recovery, but the treatment of Princess Eugenie’s scoliosis was successful. Without the surgery, Eugenie would have become a ‘hunchback by 18’, according to her mum.
Does Princess Eugenie Have A Scar?
One of the only ‘clues’ that Eugenie once suffered from scoliosis is a long scar down her back. For her wedding, Eugenie decided to proudly show it off with a low V-back dress.
“I believe scars are like memories that tell a story on your body, that remind you how strong you had to be, and that you survived to talk about it,” the Princess explained. “Your scars are a way of communicating, and sharing a trauma can be healing in so many ways. It can release that stigma you might have given to yourself and by talking about it you can show people how they can heal, too.”
A Diagnosis, Not A Sentence
Scoliosis can severely impact your life, especially in extreme cases like Princess Eugenie’s. But thanks to advancements in modern medicine (and access to royal funds), Eugenie was able to get surgery that saved her from a lifetime of pain.
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