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Princess Eugenie | Princess Eugenie with her sons | Source: Getty Images | Instagram/princesseugenie
Princess Eugenie | Princess Eugenie with her sons | Source: Getty Images | Instagram/princesseugenie

Recently Published Photos of Princess Eugenie's Children Spark Discussions over Their Royal Resemblance

Akhona Zungu
Feb 09, 2026
10:20 A.M.

The Princess of York marked a tender family milestone in a resurfaced social media post — but it was the striking resemblance her young sons bear to other members of the Royal Family that truly captured royal watchers' attention.

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On 30 May 2025, Princess Eugenie, 35, shared an intimate glimpse into her private life as she celebrated her youngest son Ernest's second birthday, offering followers a rare look at the little boy who has quietly grown up away from the glare of palace life.

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

Alongside a carousel of warm, candid photographs showing muddy trainers, beaming smiles, and unmistakable mother-and-son affection, Eugenie poured her heart out in a message that left fans swooning.

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

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"Happy Birthday my darling Ernie. 2 today!" she wrote. "And what an incredible two years it's been. Always smiling, always laughing, always giving hugs and hello's and making everyone happy. My golden boy, we love you! 🥰"

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

A Birthday Tribute That Melted Hearts

The post instantly sparked a flood of reactions from royal fans, many of whom were quick to scrutinise the young royal's features — and draw striking comparisons to other members of the famous family.

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A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

"Looking like his grandpa..so sweet," one admirer commented. "He looks like Andrew to me. Eugene looks like Andrew. Lovely little boy [sic]," another agreed.

Others saw echoes of the younger generation of royals. "They look like Harry's kids. Strong genetics 😊," one person observed.

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

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Another added, "August looks exactly like 'Archie'…. Could be twins . Lovely to see brothers growing together. York & Sussex bond is strong."

Some, however, felt Ernie was the spitting image of his devoted mother. "Wow he's Princess Eugenie baby boy version.❤️ happy birthday!❤️," one fan gushed.

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

Muddy Knees And A Normal Childhood

Beyond the genetics debate, many were struck by the simple scenes of childhood joy captured in the images.

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"Nice to see children playing in dirt that's what childhoods about [sic]," one viewer remarked — a sentiment that resonated with those pleased to see royal children enjoying a grounded upbringing away from formality.

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

Ernie is Eugenie's second son with husband Jack Brooksbank. The couple are also parents to four-year-old August, with the brothers often seen exploring the outdoors together.

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

A photo from Princess Eugenie's birthday tribute to her son Ernie on 30 May 2025. | Source: Instagram/princesseugenie

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A Royal Love Story Years In The Making

Eugenie and Jack's romance began back in 2010, when they were introduced by friends during a skiing holiday in Verbier, Switzerland.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank attend day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on 18 June 2011 in Ascot, United Kingdom. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank attend day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on 18 June 2011 in Ascot, United Kingdom. | Source: Getty Images

"There was an immediate attraction and since that meeting, they have barely been apart," a friend recalled in 2013. Despite juggling separate lives — Eugenie studying at Newcastle and Jack working in London — the couple remained committed.

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York attend the second annual "Freddie For A Day" event in memory of Queen's late frontman Freddie Mercury, at The Savoy Hotel on 3 September 2012 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York attend the second annual "Freddie For A Day" event in memory of Queen's late frontman Freddie Mercury, at The Savoy Hotel on 3 September 2012 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

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"Eugenie was studying at Newcastle when they met and Jack was working in London, but they made the relationship work. She is very uncomplicated. She's a doer, a worker, as is Jack. They are very suited," the friend said.

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York at the Downtown Mayfair restaurant for Heather Kerzner's birthday celebration on 19 March 2013 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York at the Downtown Mayfair restaurant for Heather Kerzner's birthday celebration on 19 March 2013 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Distance, Doubts, And Devotion

Three years into their relationship, the pair faced a major test when Eugenie moved to the United States to begin a new role with auction house Paddle8 in New York.

Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank attend the wedding of Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Rupert Finch at the church of St John the Baptist on 8 June 2013 in Cirencester, England. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank attend the wedding of Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Rupert Finch at the church of St John the Baptist on 8 June 2013 in Cirencester, England. | Source: Getty Images

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Friends said the move was daunting, particularly as she knew few people there beyond British model and socialite Poppy Delevingne.

"She was a little scared, largely because she didn't want to leave Jack behind," a family friend told the Daily Mail at the time. "She didn't know many people out there but Jack encouraged her to go. She wanted the experience and has gone out knowing Jack is in London waiting for her."

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York pose at the Boodles Boxing Ball 2013 on 21 September at the Grosvenor House in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York pose at the Boodles Boxing Ball 2013 on 21 September at the Grosvenor House in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

The couple stayed connected through frequent Skype calls. Meanwhile, Jack quickly became a fixture within Eugenie's family.

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"Jack is very close to Eugenie's family. He is always invited away with them in the summer," the family friend said. "Sarah sees him as a son-in-law already. She and Andrew adore Jack. He is a lovely boy and he has really fitted into the family."

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie | Source: X/@sarahMFergie15

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie | Source: X/@sarahMFergie15

That confidence proved well placed. In January 2018, the Royal family announced the couple's engagement, prompting an emotional response from Eugenie's mother, Sarah Ferguson.

"I always say that the river flows well to it's destiny because of the guidance of a solid rock #engagement #eugieandjack [sic]," she wrote on X. The couple married later that autumn.

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Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank leave St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle following their wedding on 12 October 2018 in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank leave St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle following their wedding on 12 October 2018 in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images

Life Between London And Portugal

Today, Eugenie and Jack are based at Ivy Cottage in Kensington Palace, with her sister Princess Beatrice living nearby at St James's Palace.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank watch the racing from the Royal Box as they attend day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on 21 June 2025 in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank watch the racing from the Royal Box as they attend day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on 21 June 2025 in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images

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They also divide their time between the UK and Portugal due to Jack's professional commitments. He is currently working with property tycoon Mike Meldman on a 300-home development at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club.

While it remains unclear how long the project will last, Portugal has become a sun-soaked backdrop for the family's life — offering their young sons plenty of space to explore, play, and grow.

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