Princess Eugenie announced she was pregnant on Monday with a heartwarming baby scan photograph and an accompanying press release from Buckingham Palace.
The younger daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson is expecting her third child with husband Jack Brooksbank, a younger sibling for sons August, five, and Ernest, two.
On Monday, Eugenie, 36, shared a heartwarming picture of her sons holding an ultrasound photo on her Instagram account, writing: "Baby Brooksbank due 2026! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️👶🏻♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️"
Buckingham Palace also revealed the news with a statement ending: "His Majesty The King has been informed and is delighted with the news."
But unlike previous announcements, the message failed to include the usual addition that "both families are delighted with the news".
A notable absence
The notable omission meant Eugenie's announcement was subtly different from previous messaging from the Palace. Princess Beatrice, Eugenie's older sister, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi announced they were expecting their second child together, Athena, in 2024.
A message from the Palace read at the time: "His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news."
© InstagramWhen Eugenie's second pregnancy was announced in 2023, the message also included a mention that the "family is delighted".
This year's shortened statement was likely intended to omit any mention of Andrew and Sarah, who have fallen further from grace in recent months. Both Eugenie's parents featured extensively in the latest release of Epstein documents in January, and suffered more disgrace when Andrew was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The King has distanced himself from his younger brother and said in an official statement at the time that "the law must take its course".
© Dave Benett/Getty ImagesIt means Eugenie's announcement was carefully crafted to avoid mention of the York family entirely. Jack's parents, Nicola and George Brooksbank, were also excluded from the announcement.
Exciting news
The full statement from Buckingham Palace on Monday read: "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.
© Getty Images"August (aged five) and Ernest (aged two) are also very excited to have another sibling join the family. His Majesty The King has been informed and is delighted with the news."
Jack and Eugenie married in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in October 2018, and welcomed their first child, August, on 9 February 2021. His younger brother Ernest was born on 30 May 2023.
The new royal baby will be 15th in the line of succession when he or she is born.
5 more royal pregnancy announcement photos...
Princess Diana and Prince Charles
© Kypros via Getty ImagesPrincess Diana stepped out on the day of her first pregnancy announcement on 5 November 1981 wearing her first "maternity look": a red Bellville Sassoon coat and blue hat by John Boyd. An Instagram moment before Instagram existed.
Princess Kate and Prince William
© WireImagePrincess Kate was spotted leaving King Edward VII’s Hospital three days after the news broke that her first child was on the way. St James's Palace had been forced to announce the pregnancy earlier than customary as Kate was being treated for extreme morning sickness.
