Princess Eugenie shared her newborn baby daughter's name with the world on Monday, which has a royal link to her wedding eight years ago.
Eugenie's third child with her husband Jack Brooksbank is named Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank "after three people we love and admire past and present", the royal revealed. Along with paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, Eugenie's baby girl's name is a sweet ode to a 19th century royal: Queen Victoria's great-aunt, Queen Adelaide.
At her wedding reception on 12 October, 2018, Eugenie subtly honoured Queen Adelaide, who was married to King William IV in the 1830s, with two of the late royal's heirlooms. Eugenie looked lovely for the occasion in a long-sleeved, floor-length gown, which she accessorised with two of Queen Adelaide's brooches she borrowed from Queen Elizabeth.
"Queen Victoria’s Wheat-Ear Brooches were originally commissioned by William IV in 1830 for Queen Adelaide. They were passed down to Queen Victoria in 1837, and eventually to The Queen in 1952. Her Majesty has worn them as both hair slides and brooches," the Palace website wrote. Eugenie wore two of the treasured sparkling heirlooms in her hair for the reception.
The six pieces in the Windsor collection, which are encrusted with diamonds set in silver and gold, have been passed down through the royal family for years.
© GettyMeaning behind Adelaide's name
"Adelaide is used in English, Italian, and Portuguese (how appropriate, given this baby’s place of birth) and is a variation of the German name Adelheidis," Sophie Kihm, baby name expert and editor-in-chief at Nameberry, the world’s largest website devoted to baby names, told HELLO!.
"It means "noble" and has royal history: the German princess Adelaide married Britain’s King William IV in the 1830s. She was such a beloved queen – known as "Good Queen Adelaide" – that she popularised her name in the early 19th century. The Australian city of Adelaide is named after her."
She added: "As with many royal baby names, we expect this one to rise significantly in years to come. Eugenie's daughter's name is partly inspired by Queen Adelaide and partly by Maria Adelaide, the name of two Portuguese women, a royal and a saint.
Eugenie's growing family
© Princess EugenieEugenie, who also shares sons August, five, and Ernest, three, with her husband Jack, welcomed her third child on 3 August. Her newborn daughter was born in Portugal, which is where the Princess has been living with her husband and two sons since 2022.
Two weeks after announcing her daughter's birth, Eugenie shared the baby's name on Instagram. The royal shared that "since then we've had the most special, cosy and love-filled time."
She added: "Augie and Ernie are already the best big brothers."
