'I Cried': Princess Eugenie, 34, Shows Long Scar on Her Back from Surgery, Leaving Fans Emotional

In a poignant and powerful moment, Princess Eugenie of York unveiled photos of her back scar on social media, years after her major surgery. Her vulnerability sparked a wave of heartfelt reactions from netizens.

Princess Eugenie recently tugged netizens' hearts with a heartfelt Instagram post. She shared photos from her 2018 wedding to Jack Brooksbank, highlighting the scar on her back from scoliosis surgery. Her message conveyed solidarity and support in honor of International Scoliosis Awareness Day.

In the three photos, Eugenie wears her elegant white wedding gown with a wide V-back design that reveals her scar. "I just wanted to share my scar and encourage anyone out there who's gone through something similar to share theirs with me," she wrote.

The scar ran from her nape to the middle of her shoulder blades. "Let's be proud of our scars! I'd love to repost any of your images on my stories so please tag me and I will share," the 34-year-old princess continued.

Eugenie expressed her support for everyone affected by scoliosis, from those newly diagnosed to those living with scars, and thanked the medical professionals for their dedication. Her candidness resonated deeply with royal fans, who flooded her post with supportive comments.

"I cried when I saw your dress & why you chose to wear it. Thank you for being a voice to those with scoliosis. Scars are beautiful & tell a story [sic]," one user wrote.

Another commented, "What a beautiful picture of a Princess on her wedding day. A scar is a badge of honor that you did and so can others [sic]," capturing the essence of her inspiring act.

"Most beautiful royal wedding look, scar included!!!" praised another fan. "This bravery is amazing," someone added, encapsulating the collective awe of the community.

One warmly remarked, "Because of your courage I showed my scar for the first time with a low back dress at a wedding. My mum cried when she saw how beautiful you looked in your dress [sic]."

Eugenie's journey with scoliosis began at a young age, thanks to her mother, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, who detected the condition early. In a separate Instagram post, Eugenie shared, "My mum caught my scoliosis early and I was lucky enough to get the help I needed at 12 years old."

Eugenie was diagnosed with scoliosis in 2002, and bravely faced the daunting corrective surgery at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH). "This was, of course, a scary prospect for a 12-year-old; I can still vividly remember how nervous I felt in the days and weeks before the operation," she recalled.

As Eugenie remembered, the surgery lasted for eight hours. It involved extensive procedures to correct her spine, including the insertion of eight-inch titanium rods along each side and one-and-a-half-inch screws at the top of her neck.

Despite the challenging recovery, which included three days in intensive care, a week on the ward, and six days in a wheelchair, Eugenie was able to walk again soon after.

The princess's positive memories of RNOH highlight the support she received. "But my abiding memories of the RNOH, where the surgery was carried out, are happy ones - everyone there was so warm and friendly, and they went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and relaxed," she shared.

Sarah's proactive approach also benefited Eugenie's road to recovery. "She removed all the stigma around having scoliosis for me by confidently showing people what I'd been through and it took all the fear and anxiety out of being different at such a young age," the princess wrote.

Sarah, who read Eugenie's touching Instagram post, expressed her pride and admiration for her daughter. "I am so touched by this and in awe of you. I hope this inspires young people to own their scars and life's journey as you have so beautifully done," she responded, ending with a heart emoji.

In addition to her courageous scoliosis journey, Eugenie recently shared a touching glimpse into her life as a mother, posting rare and adorable photos of her son, August, last February.

In the series of pictures celebrating August's birthday that month, Eugenie beautifully captured the joyful essence of her son, showcasing their close relationship. One tender moment showed her kissing August on the lips.

In another heartwarming photo, Eugenie radiated genuine happiness as she embraced her two children, highlighting the sweet and loving bond they continue to share.

Another photo depicted Eugenie and August sitting on the floor, bundled up and laughing together. "Happy 3rd Birthday to our dearest Augie. Forever a force of nature and forever giggling with you," she captioned the post.

Eugenie's photos garnered comments from netizens, with one mistakenly thinking August was Archie, Prince Harry's son. "I thought she was holding Archie," the person wrote. "TOO MUCH CUTENESS," another commented.

Motherhood has significantly influenced Eugenie's life and environmental activism. The arrival of August has deepened her commitment to making the world a better place, not only for her child but for future generations as well. "August is only two but I hope that what I'm doing will seep through to him and that one day he takes it on, too," she said.

Eugenie advocates for the environment and has served as an ambassador for the Blue Marine Foundation. In 2018, she even made her wedding plastic-free. She expressed hope that her children will share her commitment to being eco-conscious.

Beyond sharing her medical condition, motherhood journey, and environmental advocacy, Eugenie has also demonstrated her compassionate nature and strong family values. This was evident in a warm gesture involving her cousin, Harry.

On May 6, 2023, Princess Eugenie attended the Coronation of King Charles III with her husband. Her social media posts from the event captured moments with her sister, Princess Beatrice, and Harry. The Duke of Sussex attended the occasion alone, as his wife, Meghan Markle, stayed in the U.S. with their two kids, Archie and Lilibet.

Fans praised Eugenie for including Harry, recognizing her support and solidarity amid his strained relationship with the rest of the royal family. Her gesture was seen as a warm embrace of family unity, resonating deeply with the public and highlighting the enduring strength of her family connections.