Princess Eugenie has marked her younger son Ernest's first birthday by sharing a series of rare family photographs on Instagram. The 34-year-old royal posted images showing Ernest in a personalised blue football kit with his nickname 'Ernie', enjoying a playgroup, and taking part in an Easter egg hunt. One photo captured his older brother August, three, kissing Ernest during a visit to the Natural History Museum in London.
In her caption, Eugenie wrote: 'One year of you my dear Ernest. Happy birthday!! We all love you so much, especially your enormous smile you give the world.. but you always save an extra special one for Mumma.' The princess and her husband Jack Brooksbank announced Ernest's birth five days after he arrived on 30 May 2023, weighing 7lb 1oz. He was named Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, with 'Ronnie' paying tribute to Eugenie's maternal grandfather, the late Major Ronald Ferguson.
Ernest, who holds no royal title, is 13th in line to the throne. He has rarely been seen publicly since his birth, though Eugenie has shared occasional personal snaps for special occasions. The couple also enjoyed a family holiday in Jamaica with both sons in January, and Eugenie posted a birthday photograph in March showing her lifting Ernest into the air.
Ernest's maternal grandparents are the Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York. Sarah previously expressed her emotion at the choice of the middle name Ronnie, telling her podcast: 'It was so moving that they'd put my dad in there... It made me cry, of course.'
