Princess Eugenie and her husband are expecting a 3rd child

Britain’s royal family will soon welcome a new addition as Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank have announced they are expecting their third child. The couple shared the news Monday, with Buckingham Palace confirming the baby is due this summer.

The 34-year-old princess, who is the younger daughter of the former Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, already has two young sons with Brooksbank. According to palace officials, five-year-old August and two-year-old Ernest are “very excited” about the prospect of a new sibling joining their family.

King Charles III, Princess Eugenie’s uncle, is said to be “delighted” with the news of another great-nephew or great-niece on the way. The king, who ascended to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, maintains a close relationship with various members of the extended royal family despite ongoing tensions with some relatives.

The announcement comes during what has been a challenging period for the British royal family. Both King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have been undergoing cancer treatments in recent months, forcing them to scale back their public duties temporarily. The news of a new baby provides a welcome moment of celebration amid these health concerns.

Princess Eugenie, currently 11th in line to the throne, has carved out a more private life compared to some of her royal relatives. While maintaining her royal duties, she has established a career in the art world and devotes significant time to charitable causes, particularly those focused on ending modern slavery and supporting sustainable initiatives.

Her husband Jack Brooksbank, whom she married in 2018 at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, works in the hospitality industry. The couple has chosen to balance their royal connections with a relatively normal family life, dividing their time between London and Portugal, where Brooksbank has business interests.

Unlike some royal births that generate intense public attention, Princess Eugenie’s pregnancies have been accompanied by less ceremony, reflecting her position further down the line of succession. However, the princess has embraced sharing aspects of her family life on social media, frequently posting images of her children while carefully protecting their privacy.

Her father, the former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor following his withdrawal from royal duties, has maintained a low profile in recent years. The Duke of York stepped back from public roles in 2019 following controversy surrounding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Sarah Ferguson, Eugenie’s mother, has remained an enthusiastic grandmother and maintains a cordial relationship with the royal family despite her divorce from Andrew in 1996. Ferguson, affectionately known as “Fergie” to the British public, has previously expressed her joy at being a grandmother.

The new baby will be a first cousin once removed to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis – the children of Prince William and Catherine – as well as to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, the children of Prince Harry and Meghan.

Royal watchers note that Princess Eugenie has followed in the footsteps of her grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in building a larger family. The Queen had four children, and large royal families have been traditional throughout British history, though less common in recent generations.

As summer approaches, anticipation will build for the arrival of the newest member of Britain’s royal family, bringing a positive note to what has been a challenging year for the monarchy.