Princess Eugenie Announces Pregnancy with Third Child

Princess Eugenie is pregnant with her third child, she and her husband Jack Brooksbank announced Monday on social media with a photo of their two sons holding a sonogram.

"Baby Brooksbank due 2026!" she captioned the Instagram post.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement: "Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their third child together, due this summer."

"August (aged 5) and Ernest (aged 2) are also very excited to have another sibling join the family," the statement continued. "His Majesty The King has been informed and is delighted with the news."

The announcement arrives as Eugenie's parents, Sarah Ferguson and former Prince Andrew, remain sidelined from royal life. In October, King Charles removed his brother's royal titles amid fresh examination of Andrew's connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Ferguson lost her Duchess of York title last year and her Freedom of the City of York honor in March over her Epstein links.

"This is joyous news for the couple at a time when the debauchery, deceit and disgusting behavior of her father have loomed large over their lives," said Hilary Fordwich, a British royals expert.

"At last, some wonderful news for Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, as it has been announced that she is expecting a third child," said Ian Pelham Turner, a royal broadcaster. "This will be tremendous news for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and Sarah Ferguson too, as it is well known they are both totally besotted with their children and grandchildren and have spent many hours having family get-togethers."

"Whatever the public think of Andrew and Sarah, the amount of mental health stress they have gone through, albeit brought on themselves, to have something joyful to celebrate, may give the entire royal family a boost too."

Pelham sees this as a potential turning point for Andrew and Sarah. "Eugenie is very popular in the royal household, and she stepped up to the plate alongside Beatrice when cancer befell the senior royals and needed royal support to fulfill engagements," he said. "This could be a turning point for Andrew and Sarah too. My feeling is that Andrew will not really settle in Sandringham, and Sarah is obviously looking for an escape route after her latest hiding place was discovered, so I have a suspicion both might end up in Portugal to be close to their grandchildren and lead a simpler, quieter life."

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams called the news delightful but warned of renewed focus on Eugenie's parents. "This is very happy news for Eugenie, and we must wish her and Jack Brooksbank well," he said. "The way she revealed it on Instagram was delightful. However, inevitably, it means that attention will return to the Yorks."

"When Beatrice, Eugenie’s sister’s daughter, Athena, was christened last December, her disgraced parents kept a low profile," he added. "They will have to do the same with the new arrival. Unfortunately, the press coverage will be relentless."