Princess Eugenie’s wedding dress highlights scoliosis scars
Princess Eugenie of York was born to one of the most famous families in the world. When she was 12 years old she got some challenging news when she was diagnosed with severe scoliosis. Doctors told her she would need surgery to correct the severe curve in her spine.
“There are so many emotions and worries that go thundering through your head. Will I be able to play sports, or will I look the same, or will I miss a lot of school and be behind? I remember being angry about not being able to run and play.”
Princess Eugenie explained to reporters.
To this day, the Princess still has titanium rods in her back. She uses her platform and privilege to increase awareness of scoliosis and to support the hospital that performed her surgery. In 2018, Princess Eugenie married her long-time boyfriend, Jack Brooksbank. For her big day, she said she worked with designers to make sure the dress highlighted part of the surgical scar on her back. It starts at the top of her neck and comes down her entire back.
In 2020, Princess Eugenie shared another picture of her scoliosis scar and told her followers to “be proud” of their own scars. Princess Eugenie and her husband welcomed a baby boy on February 9th, 2021. She reportedly had a c-section delivery due to risks associated to her spine surgery.
The princess opened up about her battle with scoliosis in a blog post for The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Charity where the procedure was performed. She has served as a Patron for the hospital since 2012. You can read her story here.
For more information on the different variations of scoliosis and ways to treat it, click here.
Princess Eugenie is the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. She is Queen Elizabeth’s six grandchild and tenth in line for the throne.
