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Princess Eugenie marked her 34th birthday yesterday with a tribute post dedicated to ‘the best gift of all’ – her children.
The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York took to Instagram yesterday to praise her two sons, August, three, and Ernest who is about to mark his first birthday.
In the candid photograph, Eugenie playfully held her younger son, Ernest, aloft in her arms.
The 34-year-old’s decision to cherish family on her special day comes amid a troubling time for the royal family following the news that King Charles III, 75, Kate, 42, and Sarah Ferguson, 64, are all facing cancer battles.
In light of this, Eugenie captioned the post: ‘The best gift of all are my boys… so on this birthday I’m cherishing family and loved ones.’
To mark her 34th birthday, Princess Eugenie shared a sweet photograph with her youngest son Ernest on Instagram
Princess Eugenie marked her birthday two days after the announcement that her cousin’s wife, the Princess of Wales, is battling cancer, the third member of the royal family to be diagnosed in recent months.
Princess Beatrice and Eugenie’s mother, Sarah Ferguson, was diagnosed with skin cancer just months after having a mastectomy for breast cancer. Their uncle, King Charles, is also undergoing cancer treatments.
Nonetheless, in an optimistic fashion, Eugenie shared a thoughtful message celebrating family on her special day.
Looking typically chic, Eugenie donned a short-sleeved caramel jumper with a chunky signature headband in the image.
The mother-of-two accessorized her look with a pair of emerald earrings and a simple yet elegant gold chain.
Meanwhile, Ernest looked smart in a pair of blue corduroy trousers and a matching knitted jumper.
Elsewhere, Sarah Ferguson, also took to Instagram to praise Eugenie on her birthday.
In a sentimental post, Sarah hailed her daughter as an ‘incredible woman’ with ‘silly, sweet, smart, and thoughtful’ qualities.
The mother-of-two has two sons with her husband Jack Brooksbank – August (right), three, and soon-to-be one Ernest (left). Seen in February on Eugenie’s Instagram
In the sweet post, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York said her sons are ‘the best gift of all’
Sarah Ferguson, 64, also shared a sweet photograph on Instagram to mark Eugenie’s 34th birthday
The Duchess of York called her daughter an ‘incredible woman’ with ‘silly, sweet, smart, and thoughtful’ traits
The mother-of-two shared a causal picture of herself with Eugenie with a stunning countryside backdrop.
Dressed in lowkey hiking attire, the pair sat on a rock while Sarah sweetly pecked Eugenie’s cheek.
She wrote: ‘Happy birthday to my amazing daughter. I am so proud of the incredible woman you have grown up to be.
‘You continue to amaze me every day in your hard work, your grace, kindness, and the care you show to others.
‘You will always be my silly, sweet, smart, and thoughtful girl. I love you, Eugenie. Happy birthday.
It comes after Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie rallied together last Thursday as they headed for lunch in central London amid the royal family’s health woes.
For the outing birthday girl Eugenie opted for a burgundy coat with knee-high black boots and sunglasses.
She accessorised her green and blue dress with a cream and leather handbag, and protected her eyes from the sun with aviator glasses.
Eugenie’s post comes amid a testing time for the royal family following Charles, Kate, and Sarah’s battle with cancer. Seen in February on Eugenie’s Instagram
The royal mother-of-two had earlier in the day read to children from Garden House School at Elephant Family’s Little Egg Hunt in Sloane Square.
She opted for a natural make-up look for the occasion, letting her hair down and loose.
Meanwhile, big sister Beatrice, 35, tied her tresses up into a chic messy bun.
The royal, whose father is Prince Andrew, opted for a scholastic-inspired look with black dollie shoes, and long grey skirt and cardigan.
Showing off her natural beauty, Beatrice opted for a minimal make-up look as she chatted on the phone.
The pair are now likely rallying together amid various health scares in the Firm.
Both Beatrice and Eugenie are close to their cousins Prince William and Prince Harry – and are likely to be shocked by the news of Kate’s diagnosis.
It comes after the Duchess of York has had a mole removed from her body which tests have since found to be a malignant melanoma which is the most serious type of skin cancer.
The mother-of-two had a number of moles removed while undergoing breast reconstruction surgery last year, one of which was found to be malignant.
The Duchess, who is the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, was described as being in ‘good spirits’ after the ‘distressing’ news, which was broken to her just days after Christmas.
Last week, Kate announced that she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer that was found following her abdominal surgery last month.
The family are likely to be devastated by the news.
Eugenie shares her two children with husband of five years, Jack Brooksbank (pictured earlier this month at Cheltenham Festival)
Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said he believes Harry will be ‘devastated’ that Kate, who he always called ‘Cath’ and once said she was ‘the sister I never had’, has cancer. ‘Whether he comes to the UK to visit Kate, time will tell’, he said.
Biographer and historian Hugo Vickers believes the California couple should stay in the US for now to aid the future queen’s cancer fight and recovery.
He said: ‘People ask if Prince Harry is going to come back and help them out, but I think that would be very counterproductive’.
Harry flew to the UK shortly after his father announced he was battling the disease in January – but a rushed trip to see Kate is less likely.
However, King Charles has said he hopes he will be well enough to attend a reduced ‘Easter Lite’ service next Sunday as his cancer battle continues.
The 75-year-old will lead a smaller royal contingent at the traditional Easter service in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, if his health allows.
A palace source confirmed to the Telegraph: ‘The King and Queen are hoping to attend some form of Easter service in Windsor.’
‘However, it will not be the large family gathering that we might expect to see in different circumstances.’
The King is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and has stepped back from royal duties as he battles the disease.
One of the reasons for this is the ‘risks associated with large crowds’ and therefore the gathering at the service is expected to be much smaller than normal.
The news comes after Kate confirmed she would not be joining other royals at the ‘Easter Lite’ service following her cancer diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales made the decision following the release of her emotional video message last Friday night.
She is apparently determined to go about her normal routine, which she sees as an important part of her recovery but there has been no set timeline for her return to public life.
The future queen is currently undergoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy treatment and has asked the public to respect her young family’s privacy.
The Prince of Wales is due to return to public duties after his children return to school following the Easter break, but the family will not appear at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel for the Easter Sunday service.
Last year’s service was the first Easter Sunday service of Charles’s reign and the royal family were out in force in the grounds of the castle, enjoying the bright spring sunshine before the morning service.
At the service the Wales family were spotted in a group of younger royals at the back of the large party walking down from the chapel where Queen Elizabeth was interred in September 2022.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have rallied together to support the royal family in recent times (seen at The Anti Slavery Collective’s inaugural Winter Gala at Battersea Arts Centre in 2023)
The public and royal watchers have been clamouring to know when the Princess of Wales will get back to official duties since having surgery in January.
Her last official royal engagement was the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham on December 25.
In the video Kate said: ‘My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.’
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.’
It is understood Kate’s own views on whether she wants to attend events and if she feels able to, along with medical advice, would form part of the decision-making process.
A Palace spokesman said: ‘Their Royal Highnesses understand the interest this update will generate and are grateful for the public support they have received throughout this period.
‘Kensington Palace will provide information, when the time is right, and the princess is able to restart work and her duties.
‘In the meantime, we would ask that the family’s privacy is respected.’
A running commentary on Kate’s health is not expected as she will need the time, space and privacy to fully recover.
It would be likely that Kensington Palace will only provide further updates on Kate’s plans to return to public events when the time is deemed appropriate.
It should also be expected that any initial public events will not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule.
Kensington Palace has said that Kate had major abdominal surgery in January and that surgery was successful.
At the time of surgery, it was thought that the condition was non-cancerous and no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer.
Post-operative tests found that cancer had been present and Kate has now begun a course of preventative chemotherapy.
