Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's baby news undoubtedly brings excitement for the royal family and word has it that the York royal is planning to follow her mother, Sarah Ferguson, and Meghan Markle's birthing plans.
According to Daily Express, Princess Eugenie might choose to give birth at London's Portland Hospital in early 2021. The medical facility is familiar to the York family since this is also the same hospital where the Duchess of York gave birth to her daughters with Prince Andrew, Beatrice and Eugenie.
Cousin-in-law Meghan also gave birth Archie Harrison at the same hospital in May 2018. The report cited that Eugenie might decide to follow Meghan and Prince Harry's decision to ditch the photo opportunity outside of the hospital when the baby arrives.
Eugenie is not a senior working royal so she is not as bounded by royal protocols as her cousins Prince William and Harry. Sources also said that the Brooksbank couple would like to raise their soon-to-be-born baby in a normal environment, away from the trappings of royal life.
Following the baby news, the Duchess of York posted on Instagram that she's excited to be a first-time grandmother at 60 years old. She also spoke to Hello and said that she and Prince Andrew are "absolutely overjoyed" about Eugenie's baby news.
Royal expert Phil Dampier said that the good news is "the best tonic" for the royal family amid Prince Andrew's Jeffrey Epstein-related scandal. Jack's family also nearly lost his father to COVID-19. Fortunately, George Brooksbank has been recovering well after nine weeks at the hospital.
Meanwhile, there are no other details about Princess Eugenie's baby, such as her actual due date, the baby's sex and the potential names. Royal observers said, however, that the arrival of the Brooksbank child will be a lovely present for Prince Philip, who will be celebrating his 100th birthday next year.
Princess Eugenie's baby will be the ninth great-grandchild of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Bookmakers think that the York royal will honor her grandfather by naming her child, Philip, if it's a boy.
Bookmakers, on other hand, think Princess Eugenie will name her daughter Alice. The name is also significant for Prince Philip as his mother is Princess Alice of Battenburg.
Eugenie has always looked up to her grandfather. In the 2016 documentary, Queen at 90, she described Prince Philip as incredible for being "strong and consistent" rock of the royal family.
