Emotional confession comes amid reports she’s distanced herself from Prince Harry and family tensions
Princess Eugenie has made a heartfelt admission about a deeply personal struggle from her past, just as reports suggest she has stepped back from a key behind-the-scenes role within the royal family.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the Princess of York reflected on the emotional impact of undergoing major spinal surgery for scoliosis at the age of 12. While she has since become a public advocate for body confidence and scoliosis awareness, Eugenie admitted that the experience left her feeling “very embarrassed” as a child.
“I remember being woken up really early before my surgery – I pulled my blanket over my head,” she shared. “‘I don’t want to see anyone and I don’t want them to see me.’”
Eugenie credited her mother, Sarah Ferguson, for helping her reframe the experience.
“She was amazing,” Eugenie said. “She’d ask me if she could show it to people, then she’d turn me around and say, ‘My daughter is superhuman, you’ve got to check out her scar.’”
What once felt like a burden became a source of pride:
“It became a badge of honour… a cool thing I had. It trained my brain that it’s ok — scars are cool. It became a positive memory, a part of me, that I could do something with in the future. I could help heal other people.”
The emotional interview follows reports that Eugenie has quietly stepped back from efforts to mediate tensions between her cousin Prince Harry and the rest of the royal family. Once viewed as one of the few remaining bridges between Harry and the Firm, Eugenie is said to have “given up” on the role, according to The Scottish Daily Express, after her gestures of goodwill were repeatedly rebuffed.
As her personal reflections reveal a commitment to healing — both emotional and physical — Eugenie’s withdrawal from royal family dynamics may reflect a broader shift in priorities, focusing more on her family, charitable work, and personal well-being.
