Princess Eugenie has delved into her decision to show her scar on her wedding day and said that she is thrilled that it’s inspired others to do the same.
The royal underwent scoliosis surgery when she was 12 years old to treat a curvature of the spine after doctors gave a prognosis of ending up in a wheelchair before she turned 30.
Eugenie spent three days in intensive care after the surgery, but was also left with a visible scar running down the length of her back.
Princess Eugenie of York arrives at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle ahead of her wedding at St. George’s Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor, England, Pic: Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage
When she married hubby Jack Brooksbank in 2018, she chose to wear a gown created by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos that featured a semi-backless detail.
The design was by choice as she wanted to show her scar in the hopes of removing the stigma surrounding showing off scars.
When asked about it almost seven years on in a sit-down with Scoliosis Support and Research, Eugenie was delighted to hear that her decision had impacted so many people.
Eugenie chatted to host Emily about her own plans to show off her scar on her wedding and said: ‘Hearing it from you is amazing because I’m obviously 35, so I guess all the people that are coming up below me having had this operation are now getting married.
‘I just think scars, they tell a story about your life, you know if you think about what people go through like Paralympians and what they do on the world stage and [the] Invictus Games and all these people that have overcome absolute atrocities and wear their scars with such pride. ‘
Eugenie previously opened up about her scar ahead of her big day, on This Morning saying: ‘I had an operation when I was 12 on my back, and you’ll see on Friday [at the wedding], but it’s a lovely way to honour the people who looked after me and a way for young people who also go through this.
‘I think you can change the way beauty is, and you can show people your scars, and I think it’s really special to stand up for that.’