How Princess Eugenie's daughter's birth breaks from family tradition


The younger daughter of Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor announced that she and her husband Jack Brooksbank are now parents to a baby girl


Princess Eugenie of York poses upon arrival to attend the "Vogue World: London" event at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in central London on the eve of London Fashion Week on September 14, 2023.© AFP via Getty Images
Eleanor Dye
Eleanor DyeOnline Royal Correspondent
Updated: 1 hour ago
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Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank are now parents of three after announcing the safe arrival of their baby girl this week.  

The new royal, who is 15th in line to the throne behind her two older brothers, August and Ernest, was born at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, where the couple has a residence. 

The couple own a lavish £3.6 million family residence in Comporta and split their time between there and London due to Jack's job. It's perhaps unsurprising that they wanted to welcome their third child in such an idyllic location, which also offers them a break from the spotlight. 

The baby's birth marked a distinct break from family tradition, as the Yorks have typically opted for the in London.

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Both August, five, and Ernest, three, were born at in 2021 and 2023, respectively. 

Eugenie, 36, and her older sister, Princess Beatrice, 37, were themselves born at the hospital after their parents, Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, chose it.  

It is very rare for a royal baby to be born abroad, although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter, Princess Lilibet, was born in the US in 2021 at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California. 

outside The Portland Hospital© Getty
York family babies are usually born at the Portland Hospital in London

Where are royal babies usually born?

Not all royal babies are born at , however.

The Princess of Wales welcomed her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, at the exclusive in Paddington, London, in 2013, 2015 and 2018.

Kate, 44, followed in the late Princess Diana's footsteps with her decision to give birth to her children at the private maternity ward. The Princess Royal first began the tradition with the arrival of her first child, Peter Phillips, in 1977. 

Hours after giving birth to her daughter Princess Charlotte, Catherine emerged on the steps of the Lindo Wing dressed in a floral print Jenny Packham number.© Getty Images
Kate on the steps of the Lindo Wing after welcoming Princess Charlotte

Traditionally, royal babies would have been born at Buckingham Palace, as seen for King Charles, Andrew, and Prince Edward, while Princess Anne was born at Clarence House. 

Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, meanwhile, chose Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey for their two children, Lady Louise and James. 

Prince Archie, Meghan and Harry's son, however, was born at Portland in 2021, though he was shown to the world for the first time at St George's Hall at Windsor Castle. 

Princess Eugenie's exciting new arrival 

Princess Eugenie and Jack shared that they were now parents of a baby girl on Tuesday, accompanied by a sweet photograph of the newborn. 

Their daughter, whose name has not yet been revealed, was seen in a pastel pink baby grow and a blue hat with heart and butterfly doodles. 

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank smiling, standing close together in a formal setting.© Getty Images
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank are now parents of three

In a statement issued on Instagram, Eugenie, 36, wrote: "Jack and I are so excited to announce Baby Girl Brooksbank!! We are beyond in love with our girlie."

The baby was born weighing six pounds nine ounces.

The King and Queen and other members of The Royal Family are said to be delighted.

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