princess Eugenie is celebrating her 36th birthday on Monday – but the occasion continues to be overshadowed by the York family’s ongoing Epstein scandal.
The royal, who is the younger daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, is expected to lie low on her big day. It’s likely she will be turning 36 in private at home with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and their young sons August, five, and Ernest, two.
The couple stays at Ivy Cottage when they are in London, but has their primary residence in Portugal, dividing their time between the two. Eugenie may prefer to spend her special day abroad in the sun and away from the heightened attention following her father’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office last month.
If she remains in the UK, she may choose to meet up with her sister Beatrice, who was spotted out in London’s Notting Hill with her husband, Edo Mapelli Mozzi, on Sunday, in pictures seen in the Daily Mail.
A very different year
Typically, the royal family celebrates birthdays in private, though King Charles’s official birthday, Trooping the Colour, is one of the public highlights of the royal calendar.
© Getty ImagesIn previous years, Eugenie has quietly celebrated her birthday at home. However, she is one of the few royals with an Instagram account, so she has previously given glimpses into her celebrations.
Last year, Eugenie sat down for a birthday breakfast with her sons, August and Ernest. She was seen sitting at a picnic bench and smiling at the camera, with the caption: “Birthday besties.”
At the same time, her mother, Sarah shared a gushing tribute, writing: “Wishing a wonderful birthday to my beloved daughter, @princesseugenie! It has been a joy to watch you grow into such an extraordinary person, full of kindness, wisdom, and strength. Your generosity and warmth brighten the lives of so many, and I am endlessly proud of all that you do. With all my love on your special day.”
The post featured candid family selfies and a huge pink and red birthday cake, which read: “Happy birthday Eugie Boogle, and candid family selfies.”
Scandal in the York family
Such public displays of affection would now seem very unlikely, as the York family is now hoping to largely stay out of the spotlight.
This weekend, a new report in the Daily Mail alleged that Eugenie and Jack are refusing to let Sarah seek refuge at their family home. Despite being “concerned about her welfare”, Eugenie and Jack are reportedly “resisting” the suggestion. The former Duchess of York is without a fixed abode since her eviction from Royal Lodge alongside ex-husband Andrew, following King Charles’s decision to strip the disgraced royal of his titles in 2025.
In recent weeks, Eugenie stepped down from her charity, Anti-Slavery International, the world’s oldest human rights organisation, amid her father’s involvement in the Epstein files.
Her profile was removed from the charity’s website, which previously mentioned her work “across the board with leaders in the fight against modern slavery”. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Beatrice or Eugenie. Andrew has also consistently denied any wrongdoing.