Princess Eugenie, the next royal to wed, reveals her painful medical battle in an Instagram post
Princess Eugenie’s Instagram account is usually filled with photos of the royals, cute snaps with her fiancé, and pictures from childhood. But this weekend, Princess Eugenie shared a very different type of photo — she posted an X-ray that showed her battle with scoliosis.
The royal shared the photo in conjunction with International Scoliosis Awareness Day, which was June 30. “I’m very proud to share my X Rays for the very first time,” Princess Eugenie wrote in the caption. She also thanked the staff at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London for their care.
A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie) on Jun 30, 2018 at 8:53am PDT
Many commenters shared their own experiences with scoliosis in the comments section of Princess Eugenie’s post: “I’m 23 years post op and one of the first to undergo ground breaking surgery which back then carried a 50% risk of losing your life,” one person wrote, adding that they, too, were treated at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. “I have Scoliosis so I understand. I wore the metal brace till I was 16,” another person wrote.
The people who shared their stories also thanked Princess Eugenie for opening up about her experience with the condition. Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some patients with scoliosis need to wear back braces or undergo surgery, as Princess Eugenie did when she was 12.
Princess Eugenie is the daughter of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York. She has one sibling, Princess Beatrice of York.
A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie) on Jun 1, 2018 at 11:42am PDT
In a video for the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital redevelopment appeal, Princess Eugenie shared her experience at the hospital. “Without the care I received at the RNOH I wouldn’t look the way I do now; my back would be hunched over,” Princess Eugenie said in a statement for the hospital. “And I wouldn’t be able to talk about scoliosis the way I now do, and help other children who come to me with the same problem.”
Her message is an inspiring one for others with scoliosis and a reminder of why the efforts of places like the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital are so important. Princess Eugenie’s message is one of hope, but it’s also a reminder of why funding for medical institutions like this one is so vital.
Princess Eugenie is also set to marry fiancé Jack Brooksbank in the fall of this year at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. She showed off her stunning engagement ring, complete with a pink Padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds, in a recent engagement announcement.
Her mother, Sarah Ferguson, is very excited.
#jackandeugie @TheDukeOfYork @yorkiebea pic.twitter.com/CWZ6XqMhz1
— Sarah Ferguson (@SarahTheDuchess) January 22, 2018
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