Princess Eugenie's son, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, turns five on 9 February, and the tot is cuter than ever. As the daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, Princess Eugenie, 35, has made countless public appearances since being a very small child, but the same can't be said for August, or his little brother, Ernest, two.
The King's niece has opted to raise her sons in private with her marketing exec husband, Jack Brooksbank, splitting their time between London and Portugal. However, the couple made an exception for a very special occasion in 2022 when August joined both of his parents at the Platinum Pageant on The Mall to mark the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne in 1952.
© Getty ImagesLittle August was adorable as he sat on his mum's lap, wearing a pale blue jumper with a Union Jack motif from the royally-loved children's wear brand, Trotters. August, who was just over a year old at the time, was on his best behaviour as he bobbed up and down and leant forward to get a better view of the action.
© Chris Jackson, GettyEugenie's lesson for son August
Taking a child as young as August to an event where they are expected to sit quietly and listen and watch is a fantastic parenting move. HCPC-registered Senior Education and Child Psychologist Dr Sasha Hall tells us that when parents take young children to events where there is this expectation, they are giving them early opportunities to begin learning these skills in real-life settings.
© Instagram"These experiences teach children how to manage their bodies, attention and impulses. Sitting quietly, watching what is happening and waiting for things to end, all support the development of patience, self-control and the ability to tolerate boredom," she explains. "These are foundational skills that underpin learning, behaviour and emotional regulation.
"As children get older, those early experiences make it easier for them to cope with the expectations of school and other group settings," Dr Sasha adds. "Children who have practised sitting, listening and waiting from a young age are better prepared for classroom routines, shared activities and longer periods of focus."
What has Eugenie said about motherhood?
In 2023, Eugenie became a mother for a second time, welcoming Ernest with her husband, whom she married in Windsor in 2018. During a 2024 interview with The Anti-Slavery Collective, a charity she co-founded with Julia de Boinville in 2017, Eugenie opened up about how motherhood has changed her.
© Instagram"Becoming a parent is the most special, mind-blowing experience of a person’s life," the royal said. "My children make my world go around. It's made me hungrier to do the work. I want to educate my children and all young people about being vulnerable, sensitive, and empathetic towards each other. I don't want anyone to reach the age of 21 having not heard about modern slavery, like I did."
