After Princess Eugenie’s Son Was Born, She Revealed A Touching Tribute To Prince Philip

The Queen's passing and Charles' ascension to the throne may be stealing much of the royal limelight of late, but they're not the only royal family members coping with change. Princess Eugenie is a new mom as well! And after her son, August entered the world in February, Eugenie made hearts melt by honoring her grandfather Prince Philip. A loving tribute that became even more moving after Philip's death.

Royal ray of sunshine

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year – and given the state of the world, we wouldn’t blame you – you’ll have heard all about the drama engulfing the British royal family. The sad loss of Queen Elizabeth is only made more difficult by the loss of Philip a few months earlier. But amongst all the turmoil, there’s been a very welcome ray of sunshine.

Slightly overshadowed...

And it’s all down to Eugenie and her son. The princess isn’t as high profile as cousins William and Harry, so you’d be forgiven for not knowing she was pregnant. Her 2018 marriage to Jack Brooksbank was overshadowed by Harry and Meghan’s wedding that same year. We hope there are no hard feelings between the two couples!

Breaking the news

Still, Eugenie took back the spotlight with her pregnancy announcement. The princess actually revealed the glorious news via Instagram. The super-cute bear booties she posted pretty much gave the game away. She added a baby emoji to the end of her message, too, in case any of her fans still hadn’t joined the dots. But Eugenie’s new mom life would ultimately be tinged with sorrow.

Marking the end of an era

Just two months after welcoming her son into the world, Eugenie had to deal with the loss of her grandfather Philip. Alongside his wife, the late Queen — who must have been mourning more deeply than anyone — the prince consort was arguably the backbone of the royal family. His passing marked the end of an era, and the U.K. reacted accordingly.

Tributes from around the world

In the hours after the Duke of Edinburgh’s death, tributes from around the world flooded into Buckingham Palace. All across Philip’s home country, flags were half-mast, while the BBC replaced its normal schedule with programming dedicated to the prince. But among all the eulogies and honors given to the late royal, Eugenie’s was among the most touching.

Fond memories

Eugenie shared some of her favorite memories of the duke on Instagram. Alongside a photo of her and her sister Beatrice together with Philip, she sweetly recalled, “I remember incinerating the sausages and you swooping in to save the day. I remember your hands and your laugh and your favorite beer.”

Strong connections

Eugenie clearly felt a strong connection with her grandfather. And we can only imagine the joy the late prince would have felt when he first learned of his granddaughter’s engagement. From their first encounter in 2010, Eugenie and Jack were destined to go the distance.

A long way from home

And royal watchers may have been clapping with glee when the couple attended Royal Ascot together the following year. But Eugenie and Jack’s romance hasn’t always been smooth sailing. When the princess relocated to New York, she left her beloved in the U.K. Could they somehow make a long-distance relationship work, or would it be curtains?

Questions remain

Well, of course, true love trumped all in the end. And after Eugenie returned home, Jack popped the question — much to the delight of her mom. “The good news is Jack... works... for Casamigos Tequila,” Sarah Ferguson tweeted. “He’ll just hand me the tequila and say, ‘Come on, mother-in-law, down it.’” No wonder she welcomed him into the family! But as the big day approached, one question loomed over the proceedings.

Health speculation

You see, Philip wasn’t in the best of health in 2018. Not surprising, given that he was 97 years old... And, naturally, that led to speculation that perhaps the prince would be too unwell to attend his beloved granddaughter’s wedding. While he’d been at Harry and Meghan’s nuptials five months prior, the media had no idea whether he’d be turning up until the guests arrived at Windsor Castle.

What's next?

In the end, though, Philip was there as Eugenie and Jack tied the knot. So, too, were the British public, as viewers tuned in by the millions to see the happy couple on TV. But what would come next for the newlyweds? Plenty of fans — and a few family members, we bet — were undoubtedly expecting baby news.

Not long to wait

Well, although Eugenie held off telling the world until her sister got married, she would indeed become a mom. That sweet Instagram post with the booties came as a much-anticipated update. The princess also hinted at how far she was into her pregnancy, writing, “Jack and I are so excited.”

Holding hands

Little August duly arrived in February 2021 — and at a pretty sturdy 8 pounds, 1 ounce, too. Of course, we got the usual royal announcement, but there was also a more personal take from mom herself. Eugenie took to Instagram not long after August was born, sharing a black-and-white snap of her and her husband holding hands with the new arrival. Aww.

Referencing the Duke's health

Mind you, we didn’t know August’s name at this point. And before Eugenie and Jack finally revealed what they’d be calling their son, the Duke of Edinburgh’s health seemingly waned. Just days before the announcement, Philip was admitted to hospital — reportedly as “a precautionary measure.” Eugenie referenced this, too, when unveiling her son’s name.

Introductions

Where did the princess break her news? On Instagram, of course! “On his grandfather’s birthday weekend, thinking of my grandfather, we are introducing our little boy,” she wrote. And the photo she posted may have melted hearts even further. Dad Jack cradles a sleeping August in the shot, while Eugenie gently touches her son’s chest.

Name dropping

The big reveal, though, was the name. And it appeared that Eugenie was keeping it in the family. You see, “August” pays homage to her son’s fifth great-grandfather Prince Albert. Yes, the husband of Queen Victoria! August was one of Albert’s middle names, and rather suitably, it means “magnificent.”

List of honors

“Hawke” was also taken from a fifth great-grandfather. It was chosen in tribute to Jack’s own distant relative, the clergyman Edward Hawke Brooksbank. But for the final part of their child’s name, the couple honored someone much closer to home.

Named after the Duke himself

What’s the adorable little boy called in full, then? August Philip Hawke Brooksbank. That’s right: Eugenie picked that final name for the duke himself. At any time, this would have been a sweet gesture. But with Philip's recent passing, the tribute became infinitely more moving. But it's a move fans have grown to expect from Princess Eugenie, whose reputation as the most relatable royal only continues to grow.

The most relatable royal

In fact, Eugenie lives a very ordinary life for a royal. And when she spoke to the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph at just 17, she came off like almost any other teenage girl. The interviewer described her as “a 21st-century princess with smarts” and “edgy, modern, streetwise.”

Hi, Princess

“How do I play the princess thing?” Eugenie said. “I don’t, really. I don’t like talking about it much and find it annoying when people say things like, ‘Oh, you’re the princess.’ One of my best friends jokingly says, ‘Hi, Princess,’ and I say, ‘Shut up.’ It is one of the things that bugs me most in the world.”

Claim to the throne

But no matter what, Eugenie is still in line to the throne of the United Kingdom. She’s pretty far down the order now, and perhaps that’s enabled her to stay a little more grounded. When she entered the world, she was sixth in line, but more recent births in the family have since pushed her down to 11th place.

Fame and fortune

Then there’s the wealth that comes with being titled. It’s been reported that Eugenie has a net worth of around $4.7 million — not as much as, say, Prince William but definitely enough to be very comfortable. Some of that was from the Queen, some from her super-rich parents… but a portion comes from her actual job.

Arty type

Yep, unlike many of her aunts and uncles, Eugenie has a “normal” — that is, a non-royal — job. And it’s something she apparently loves, too. Eugenie’s employed by the art gallery Hauser & Wirth in London. The art world is something she’s had a passion for ever since she was a girl.

Planning special projects

Eugenie enthusiastically explained her job to Harper’s Bazaar. “Part of my job is planning special projects, supporting the artists in the gallery, and managing events,” she said in 2016. “We work with many artists and estates around the world — including Mike Kelley, Philip Guston, and, most recently, Lygia Pape.” They’re not household names, sure, but anyone with a strong interest in modern art will know them.

Loves sharing her passion

“I’ve loved art since I was very little,” Eugenie confessed. “I knew I definitely wouldn’t be a painter, but I knew this was the industry for me. I love being able to share my passion for art with people. If someone doesn’t understand something, you have the ability to suggest, ‘Maybe you can look at it this way.’ That’s what I find most thrilling about working in a gallery.”

Her hero

And the princess was full of praise for one artist in particular, saying, “A seminal moment for me, at age 16, was when I saw a Jean-Michel Basquiat show in New York. Basquiat is my hero.” She had also mentioned his art as one of her favorite things in her teenage interview with The Daily Telegraph.

Art and fashion

Eugenie added to Harper’s Bazaar, “Art is all around us — sculpture, architecture, fashion.” So you’d best believe her fashion is worth looking at as well. But it may not be what you’d expect. Unlike some of her family members, Eugenie shops in regular stores and buys clothes that practically anyone can wear.

Beautiful dresses

Granted, these aren’t cheap clothes, but Eugenie gets good use out of them. In 2019 Hello! magazine pointed out that one of the princess’s most-loved dresses appeared in the British chain store Whistles. She would probably have bought it for around $233.

Modern vibes

And the princess’ sense of style has been given the Vogue stamp of approval. “[Eugenie’s] outfits aren’t those of your typical fascinator-wearing aristocrat; they’re the standards of a modern working woman on the go,” the magazine’s Janelle Okwodu wrote in 2020. “It’s this down-to-earth vibe that makes Eugenie’s style choices so appealing — and ensure her status as a royal to watch in the coming months.”

Cooling her heels

Eugenie commented on her fashion in the Harper’s Bazaar interview. “I wear a dress and boots to work,” she explained. “I’ve started wearing high heels, which is so grown-up. But they’re painful by the end of the day. I look at people wearing heels in movies and I’m like, ‘How do they do that?’” Ah yes, working women the world over can relate to that one.

Favorite fashions

Instead, the princess tends to opt for more practical attire. “For clothes, I love Sandro and Maje,” she said. “Zara is great for work, and bits from Topshop. My favorite is my lace bomber jacket from Essentiel Antwerp. And I live in my Rag & Bone ankle boots.” There are a few high-end brands there, but they’re mixed with more affordable stuff.

New looks

As for formal wear? Eugenie said, “I love trying new looks. I don’t want to be pigeonholed. You wear the same thing twice? Great. If you don’t, great! And if that means wearing a green Sandro dress, great. I wore that to Granny’s birthday parade with a Vivien Sheriff hat.”

Her fitness regime

During the interview, Eugenie also walked fans through her exercise regime. “I go to the park from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. I do circuits, which I love because they’re quick: burpees, squat jumps, lunges, the whole lot. It’s much better, as I can’t run for a long time.” Neither can we…

Morning chats

After that, Eugenie said, she “[comes] home, [has] a shower, [and gets] dressed.” She added, “My first conversation is often with my mum, saying, ‘Good morning, what are you doing today?’ Or it’s with my [then] boyfriend, Jack. Sometimes I don’t speak until I get into work and talk to the team. Or it’s my doggie Jack. Yes, my boyfriend and my dog have the same name — total accident!”

Couch potato

After work, though, Eugenie liked to chill out in front of the TV. Just like the rest of us! She told Harpers Bazaar, “At the moment, I’m watching How to Get Away With Murder —Viola Davis, she’s insanely good — and Outlander, my favorite. When I’m with Jack, we watch The Walking Dead, which we’re obsessed with.” Who would have thought she loved crime and zombies?

In the Beyhive

Eugenie has refreshingly normal taste in music as well. Like a lot of folks, she’s a fan of Beyoncé. In 2013 she even got the chance to outright sing with the star! But ​when faced with Queen Bey herself, she — very relatably — became starstruck and tongue-tied.

Embarrassing moment

During a London show, Beyoncé was reportedly looking for an audience member to belt out the chorus of “Irreplaceable.” So, she stuck the mic right by Eugenie — apparently not realizing who she was. And according to those in the know, Eugenie blushed, so embarrassed she couldn’t sing a word. Awww.

On the menu

Eugenie also shared her diet with Harper’s Bazaar. And, again, it was surprisingly normal stuff for a royal. Nope, we’re not talking about lobster and caviar! “For lunch, I walk over to the Detox Kitchen… They do the best food, all healthy. There’s often a queue outside,” Eugenie explained. Wonder if she’s ever used her royal status to skip the line?

Coke fan

The princess added, “I try to not eat at my desk because it’s good to go outside — especially in the summer — and it’s always fun to explore Soho. During the day, I drink everything from green tea to coffee, Diet Coke to fizzy water.” So, some healthy options there, but there are a couple of naughty ones too. And no champagne!

World traveler

When Eugenie said it was good to go outside, she really meant that. By the age of 18, she’d reportedly already backpacked across multiple countries, including Thailand and South Africa. Supposedly, she tended to fly coach and stay in hostels, too.

Ticket collector

In fact, Eugenie likes traveling so much that she has mementos from wherever she’s been. She told Harper’s Bazaar that not only does she take restaurant cards from all the establishments she eats at, but she also keeps hold of all her plane tickets. The princess added, “One day, I’m going to turn them into wallpaper and paste it into my cupboard.”

Swiss romance

But Eugenie’s love of traveling didn’t just get her a wall of cards and tickets — it also got her a husband! She met Jack when vacationing in Switzerland back in 2010, running into him at the popular resort of Verbier.

Meet-cute

And before her wedding to Jack, Eugenie gushed to the British show This Morning about how she’d experienced “love at first sight.” She said of her husband-to-be, “I thought, ‘What a silly hat.’ And then… [he] came over and shook my hand, and I was all butterflies and nervous.”

Bring your child to work

Eugenie has even used Instagram to share some of her baby son’s adventures. In 2021 she took August with her on a trip to promote her work with the charity Elephant Family. And her followers got to see an adorable picture of her son next to a wooden elephant statue that shared his name.

So very proud

The princess celebrated August’s first birthday on Instagram as well. The proud mom wrote to her son, “Happy first birthday to our little hero Augie. You are such a special soul that brightens every room with your smile and wave. You have made us so very proud. We love you!” How sweet!

Paying tribute

But Eugenie has also used social media to do something a lot of the other royals won’t: share her most personal thoughts. When Prince Philip died, she wrote a long and heartfelt Instagram post, honoring her grandfather by saying, “I remember learning how to cook, how to paint, what to read. I remember laughing at your jokes and asking about your spectacular life and service in the navy.”

Family ties

But then Eugenie has often been open about her loved ones — another thing that marks her out from the more stoic and closed-off older royals. When asked in the Harper’s Bazaar interview what she would struggle to live without, she replied, “My family. That sounds cheesy, but I really can’t.”

Mother-daughter bond

Going into more detail, Eugenie said, “[I] especially [wouldn’t be able to live without] my mum. I wouldn’t be able to make tough decisions without her. And my sister. My mum always says that we’re the only ones who know exactly what’s going on in each other’s lives.” Eugenie’s spoken before about how those relationships in particular keep her grounded.

Sisterhood

During a 2018 interview with Vogue, Eugenie and her sister, Princess Beatrice, touched on the media intrusion that came with being a royal. This press wasn’t always positive, but the girls were still able to brush it off. Eugenie revealed, “We believe very strongly in who we are, and the support system of our friends and our family is pretty incredible.”

Shoulder to lean on

Beatrice also pointed out in that interview, “We are the first. We are young women trying to build careers and have personal lives, and we’re also princesses and doing all of this in the public eye.” And Eugenie added, “We’re each other’s rocks. We’re the only other person in each other’s lives who can know exactly what the other one is going through.”

“We’re real”

And when Vogue asked the pair what being “a modern princess” entails, Eugenie thought that it was all about being honest. She explained, “Nowadays it’s so easy to recoil when you see a perfect image on Instagram — but it’s important that it’s real. We’re real.” Far more than you may expect.