Sad connection Princess Eugenie's son Ernest shares with Meghan and Harry's daughter Lilibet
Ernest was born in 2023Princess Eugenie’s youngest son, Ernest, who turns three on May 30, shares a poignant link with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter, Lilibet.
Eugenie, 36, and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, 40, welcomed Ernest in 2023, two years after the arrival of their eldest son, August. In May 2025, the couple also revealed they are expecting their third child this summer.
As Ernest celebrates his third birthday, we’re taking a closer look at the touching connection he shares with another young royal family member.
Princess Eugenie’s son Ernest never got to meet Prince Philip
Ernest was born on May 30, 2023. Meanwhile, Princess Lilibet, Harry and Meghan’s youngest child, was born on June 4, 2021.
Both of the young royals never got to meet their great-grandfather Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh died on April 9 in 2021 at the age of 99.
It was just a few months before Lilibet was born.
Ernest’s older brother August Brooksbank was born a couple of months before Philip’s death. August was born on February 9, 2021.
Ernest also never got to meet the late Queen Elizabeth II, his great-grandmother, as she died in September 2022, months before his birth.
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Meanwhile, Eugenie’s older sister Princess Beatrice’s daughters Sienna, three, and Athena, born in January 2025, also never got to meet Prince Philip.
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Princess Eugenie’s tributes with her children’s names
Eugenie paid tribute to her late grandfather Prince Philip with her son August’s name. His full name is August Philip Hawke Brooksbank.
With Ernest’s name, Eugenie paid tribute to some other family members. She explained on Instagram: “He is named after his great-great-great Grandfather, his Grandpa George and my Grandpa Ronald. Augie is loving being a big brother already.”
Ronald is the father of Eugenie’s mother Sarah Ferguson. He died in 2003. Meanwhile, Grandpa George refers to Jack’s father, George Brooksbank.
Princess Beatrice paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II with her daughters’ names. Her eldest’s full name is Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi.
Meanwhile, when Athena was born in January, her full name was revealed as Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle honoured Queen Elizabeth II with baby name
When Prince Harry and Meghan welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet, in June 2021, they chose a name that paid tribute to his late grandmother.
Lilibet was the childhood nickname of Queen Elizabeth II, making the gesture especially meaningful.
However, the decision sparked controversy after reports suggested the couple had not sought the Queen’s permission to use the name.
However, at the time, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan clarified in a statement: “The duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement. In fact, his grandmother was the first family member he called. During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.”
At the time of Lilibet’s birth, the BBC reported that a palace source insisted the queen had not been asked for permission over the name.
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