Baby joy for Princess Eugenie as Epstein shadow falls over Europe's royals
Princess Eugenie is expecting her third child while Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologises over her Epstein friendship — two royal households facing very different headlines.
Princess Eugenie, 36, and her husband Jack Brooksbank, 40, are expecting their third child. The announcement comes as Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, apologised over her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, and as the Epstein files raise questions about what the British royal family knew of Prince Andrew's activities.
Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are expecting their third child. Eugenie, 36, is a member of the British royal family, which comprises the monarch of the United Kingdom and his closest relatives, all of whom descend from the House of Windsor. Brooksbank is 40. The happy news arrives at an uneasy moment for Europe's royal houses. In Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, has asked for forgiveness in connection with her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Norway's royal family is drawn from the House of Glücksburg and includes those related to King Harald V. or earlier monarchs who carry royal titles. The publication of the Epstein files has also raised questions about how much the British royal family knew of Prince Andrew's activities, according to reports. Together, the developments place two of Europe's most prominent monarchies under scrutiny at the same time, linking a private apology in Oslo to unanswered questions in London — and ensuring that even a baby announcement cannot fully lift the shadow.
Princess Eugenie expecting third child with Jack Brooksbank
Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are expecting their third child. Eugenie, 36, and Brooksbank, 40, already have two children together, and the new arrival will extend one of the younger branches of the British royal family.
Eugenie is a member of the House of Windsor, the dynasty to which all of today's British royals belong. The British royal family itself is defined as the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom — currently King Charles — together with his closest relatives. As a niece of the King, Eugenie sits within that circle, though she carries out no official duties on behalf of the Crown and has built her own career outside royal life.
No due date for the couple's third child has been announced, and neither Eugenie nor the palace has given any indication of when the baby is expected. The news lands at an otherwise difficult moment for the family, with scrutiny of its senior members intensifying on several fronts.
Mette-Marit's apology over Epstein friendship
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, has asked for forgiveness in connection with her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. The apology places one of Europe's most prominent royal households under uncomfortable scrutiny, as questions continue to surface about the extent of Epstein's contacts with senior royals across the continent.
The Norwegian royal family comprises those related to King Harald V. or to earlier Norwegian monarchs who bear royal titles. The reigning house belongs to the House of Glücksburg, a dynasty with branches across Scandinavia. King Harald is reported to be 89 years old, though this figure has not been independently confirmed.
Mette-Marit's plea for forgiveness marks a rare public reckoning within the Norwegian monarchy, which has generally enjoyed strong domestic support. The palace has not indicated what further steps, if any, will follow the apology, and it remains unclear how the matter will affect the crown princess's public role in the months ahead.
Epstein files raise questions over Prince Andrew
The release of files connected to Jeffrey Epstein has raised questions about how much the British royal family knew of Prince Andrew's activities, according to reports. The specific details contained in the files regarding Prince Andrew are not yet known, and no conclusions can be drawn about their contents.
The timing is uncomfortable for both royal households. In Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has already felt compelled to ask for forgiveness over her friendship with Epstein. In Britain, the disclosures mean Prince Andrew's associations are once again under public scrutiny, with attention now extending beyond his own conduct to the institution around him. What the wider family knew, and when, is the question the files are reported to pose. For two monarchies already managing separate strands of the same scandal, the documents threaten to keep the Epstein connection in the headlines and the pressure on both palaces intact.
From a Hanoverian duke to a palace report: the wider royal picture
Royal history offers its own long perspective on the present moment. Prince Adolphus, the tenth child and seventh son of King George III and Queen Charlotte, held the title Duke of Cambridge from 1801 until his death. Between 1816 and 1837 he served as Vice-King of the Kingdom of Hanover, acting on behalf of his brothers George IV and William IV.
More recently, according to reports, the Norwegian palace released its annual report for the previous year on 22 April 2026. The scope of that document has not been detailed publicly. Separately, Queen Letizia of Spain attended a summer reception on Mallorca at which, one expert quoted in media coverage suggested, her smile drew particular scrutiny. The expert's specific findings remain unclear.
Prince Adolphus began using the title Duke of Cambridge.
Prince Adolphus started serving as Vice‑King of the Kingdom of Hanover on behalf of his brothers George IV and William IV.
Prince Adolphus' tenure as Vice‑King of Hanover ended.
The Norwegian palace released its annual report for the previous year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Princess Eugenie expecting a third baby?
Yes. Princess Eugenie, 36, and her husband Jack Brooksbank, 40, are expecting their third child. Eugenie is a member of the British royal family, which consists of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and the monarch's closest relatives, all of whom descend from the House of Windsor. The briefing does not state when the baby is due.
Why did Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologise over Jeffrey Epstein?
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, 52, asked for forgiveness in connection with her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. She belongs to the Norwegian royal family, which includes people related to King Harald V or earlier Norwegian monarchs who hold royal titles. The reigning Norwegian royal house belongs to the House of Glücksburg.
Who was Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge?
Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, was the tenth child and seventh son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. He held the title Duke of Cambridge from 1801 until his death. Between 1816 and 1837 he served as Vice-King of the Kingdom of Hanover, acting on behalf of his brothers George IV and William IV.
What did the Norwegian palace report on 22 April 2026?
According to reports, the Norwegian palace released a closing report for the previous year on 22 April 2026. King Harald of Norway is reported to be 89 years old. The briefing does not specify the scope or findings of the report, so only its release date and the king's reported age can be stated with attribution.
What do the Epstein files reveal about Prince Andrew and the royal family?
Reports suggest the release of the Epstein files raises questions about how much the British royal family knew of Prince Andrew's activities. The briefing contains no specific details from the files about what was known, so the extent of the family's knowledge remains unclear. The claim should be treated as reported, not established.
Compiled from reporting by 10 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
