Princess Eugenie Chose Portugal Instead Of Britain For Her Baby’s Birth — But The Real Reason Behind The Royal Decision Is Surprising Fans

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank welcomed their two sons in London, but their newborn daughter was born at a hospital in Lisbon

Princess Eugenie of York Why princess Eugenie Gave Birth to Her Daughter in Portugal Rather than the UK
Princess Eugenie.Credit : Dave Benett/Getty ; Jack Brooksbank

NEED TO KNOW

  • Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank welcomed their third child, a daughter
  • The birth took place in Lisbon, Portugal, rather than London, England, where Eugenie gave birth to her two sons
  • Eugenie’s daughter is not the only one in the line of succession to be born outside the U.K. in recent years

Princess Eugenie may be in line to the British throne, but her newborn daughter was born outside the U.K.

Eugenie, 36, and Jack Brooksbank, 40, welcomed their third child, a baby girl, on Monday, Aug. 3. Buckingham Palace shared the news the following day, adding that the birth took place at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal.

Princess Eugenie previously had her two sons, 5-year-old August Philip Hawke and 3-year-old Ernest George Ronnie, at the Portland Hospital in London, England, setting their baby girl’s birth apart from her older brothers.

The family began splitting their time between Portugal and the U.K. in 2022, tied to a job change for Jack. Jack previously worked as a brand ambassador for Casamigos, the tequila company founded by George Clooney and Rande Gerber, and his new position is with property tycoon Mike Meldman, one of Clooney’s business partners. Meanwhile, Princess Eugenie works as a director at London art gallery Hauser & Wirth.

“It’s a very exciting time for them,” a source told The Telegraph about the new chapter in 2022.

Princess Eugenie spoke about living in Portugal during an appearance on the Table Manners podcast in 2023.

“This is why Portugal is the dream because I can go to the supermarket in my exercise gear and my hair piled on my head and not mind. Not care. No one cares,” she said.

With her birth, Princess Eugenie and Jack’s daughter, whose name has not yet been revealed, joins the line of succession to the British throne. Princess Eugenie is currently in the 12th spot, followed by her three children, making her daughter 15th in line.

The birth pushes Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth, down to the 16th spot.

The royal family’s new addition isn’t the only person in the line of succession to the throne who was born outside the U.K. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their daughter, 5-year-old Princess Lilibet, in California after they moved there in 2020, following their decision to step back from their working royal roles. Lili is currently seventh in the line of succession, just behind her father and big brother, 7-year-old Prince Archie.

Meghan, 45, and Prince Harry, 41, recently spent time in Portugal with their two children during their trip to Europe last month. They are thought to maintain a vacation home in the country.

“They love Portugal because Archie and Lilibet can simply be kids,” a source tells PEOPLE. “It’s always very low-key with beach days, playing and spending time together as a family.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also reunited with King Charles in England and visited Princess Diana’s childhood home, Althorp, where she is buried, during their trip abroad.

Princess Eugenie and Buckingham Palace jointly released the news of her daughter’s birth on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

The official announcement from the palace stated, “Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr. Jack Brooksbank are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their daughter, born on Monday, 3rd August 2026, at 6:20 pm, at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. The baby was born weighing 6 pounds 9 ounces.”

“Their Majesties The King and Queen and other members of The Royal Family were delighted to be informed of the news,” the statement continued.

Princess Eugenie also shared the same photo on her personal Instagram page, writing, “Jack and I are so excited to announce Baby Girl Brooksbank!! We are beyond in love with our girlie.”

Eugenie’s third child arrives in the midst of a tumultuous time for her family. In October 2025, King Charles stripped her parents, the former Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, of their royal titles amid renewed interest in their ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, and Ferguson has not been accused of any.

In February, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, related to a claim that he shared confidential information with Epstei​​n during his time as a trade envoy for the U.K.

Following the arrest, a source told PEOPLE that Princess Eugenie and her sister, Princess Beatrice, were trying to “stay away” from the controversy surrounding their parents. “They have young children, and this is their grandfather — their focus is on protecting their own children from this,” the insider said.

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