Princess Eugenie thanks mother Fergie for encouraging her to be ‘proud’ of her scoliosis scar and ‘removing the stigma’ from the spinal condition

By William On Jun 29, 2024

Princess Eugenie has praised her mother, Sarah Ferguson, for catching her scoliosis early and raising her to be proud of her scar.

The 34-year-old royal mother of two posted a sweet tribute to the Duchess of York on Instagram, where she posted more throughout the week to raise awareness of the condition.

Eugenie shared a photo of herself as a toddler being led out of a car by Fergie, writing: ‘My mother caught my scoliosis early and I was lucky enough to get the help I needed at the age of 12.

‘I am very grateful to her for that and also for the confidence I have gained to be proud of my scar.

‘She removed the stigma surrounding scoliosis for me by confidently showing others what I had been through. She also took away any fear or anxiety I had about being different at such a young age.

Princess Eugenie shared a sweet childhood photo on Instagram in which she praised her mother, Sarah Ferguson, for giving her the confidence to proudly display her scoliosis scar

‘I am eternally grateful to you and wish that everyone is proud of their scars.’

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that can cause uneven shoulders. Many people who suffer from this condition have difficulty finding clothes that fit because of the body shape it creates.

Although treatment for the condition is not always necessary, some people who develop scoliosis may need to wear a back brace to prevent the curve from worsening as they age.

In cases where surgery is necessary, patients may undergo spinal fusion surgery; a procedure that can take up to seven hours.

Eugenie, who is close to her mother and sister Princess Beatrice, said the Duchess of York noticed the signs of scoliosis early on

Earlier this week, Eugenie shared a photo of herself in her wedding dress, revealing her scoliosis scar

Eugenie previously revealed that rods were inserted into her spine at the age of 12.

WHAT IS SCOLIOSIS?

Scoliosis is the sideways curvature of the spine, which can cause uneven shoulders and lead to clothing that fits poorly.

The condition is thought to affect up to three percent of people in the US and Britain and usually occurs during a growth spurt just before puberty.

Treatment is not always necessary for mild scoliosis cases. However, braces can help prevent the curve from worsening as patients age.

If scoliosis is progressing rapidly in a young child, rods may be inserted that stretch the spine and adjust in length as the patient grows.

In severe cases, surgery may be necessary, which reduces the space in the chest and reduces the ability of the lungs to function properly.

The most common procedure is a spinal fusion, a major surgery that helps correct the curvature, the NHS say. It can take up to seven hours.

It involves connecting two or more bones in the vertebrae so that they cannot move independently. Metal rods or screws keep the spine straight.

Scoliosis can be caused by cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, birth defects, injuries or infections. However, the cause is often unknown.

In an article for the charity RNOH, she wrote: In 2002, when I was 12 years old, I was diagnosed with scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and told I needed corrective surgery.

‘This was of course a frightening prospect for a twelve-year-old; I can still vividly remember how nervous I felt in the days and weeks leading up to the operation.

The Princess continued: ‘During my surgery, which lasted eight hours, my surgeons inserted eight-inch titanium rods into either side of my spine and three-inch screws into the top of my neck.

‘After three days in intensive care, I spent a week in the ward and six days in a wheelchair, but after that I was able to walk again.’

Earlier this week, Eugenie posted a photo of herself on her wedding day, revealing her scar, which runs down her spine, thanks to her low-back wedding dress.

She shared the photo in honor of International Scoliosis Awareness Day and encouraged other people to share photos of their scars with her in return.

Eugenie wrote: ‘Let’s be proud of our scars! I would love to repost one of your images on my stories so please tag me and I will share it.

“To all of you who have just been diagnosed, to those wearing braces, to those recovering from surgery and to those who have been living with a scar for years, my thoughts are with you on Scoliosis Awareness Day.

‘Thank you to the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and researchers at Scoliosis Support & Research.’

After seeing the post, her mother Fergie posted a heart emoji in response.

Princess Eugenie has long had a close bond with her mother. She says that she helped her cope with her condition at an early age.

Eugenie is one of the few members of the royal family who regularly uses social media, often using her Instagram account to praise her mother.

She previously paid tribute to her mother and sister on International Women’s Day, sharing her love for the two best women in her life.