‘Getting rid of a taboo’: Princess Eugenie on baring her scars on her wedding day
By Jennifer McShane
28th Feb 2019
28th Feb 2019
What many remember about Princess Eugenie’s wedding day last October is really two things: that she looked totally besotted with her now husband Jack Brooksbank – and he with her – and her wedding dress.
The dress hit the headlines (thankfully, without the near-hysteria that accompanied Kate Middleton or Meghan Markle’s), not just because the Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos gown was considered innovative in its textile design and modern-yet-feminine silhouette. Rather because Princess of York Eugenie had specifically requested a backless gown in order to consciously bare her scoliosis scars to the world.
Related: The official pictures of Princess Eugenie’s royal wedding have been released
“I believe scars tell a story about your past and your future, and it’s a way of getting rid of a taboo”
Speaking in a new recording made to coincide with her gown going on display in Windsor Castle, she explained in more detail her choice to show her scarring.
“I had always wanted a low back.”
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“Part of it was showing my scar and I believe scars tell a story about your past and your future, and it’s a way of getting rid of a taboo.”
Related: More details about Princess Eugenie’s wedding reception dress have been revealed
The princess has been very open about how she underwent an eight-hour surgical procedure to correct the curvature in her spine previously. “For me, it’s a way of communicating with people who are going through either similar situations with scoliosis or having a scar of their own that they are trying to deal with,” she told People.
“[And] we started getting a lot of letters from people who were happy that I had stood up and shown my scar, and people with scoliosis, letters from girls that are going through the same thing and I definitely was very touched by everyone’s support.”
To Windsor Castle for a first look at Princess Eugenie’s wedding dress and display. More later. pic.twitter.com/9kzSCCIFXf
— Majesty/Joe Little (@MajestyMagazine) February 28, 2019
Speaking about her surgery in 2012, she said: “During my operation, which took eight hours, my surgeons inserted eight-inch titanium rods into each side of my spine and one-and-a-half inch screws at the top of my neck,” she said at the time.
“After three days in intensive care, I spent a week on a ward and six days in a wheelchair, but I was walking again after that.”
My back problems were a huge part of my life, as they would be for any 12-year-old. Children can look at me now and know that the operation works.”
Main photograph: @Brides
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