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Royal Wedding: Special meaning behind Eugenie’s wedding dress choice

She had an operation for scoliosis when she was 12

Princess Eugenie’s wedding dress was designed to show off the scar down her spine.

The 28-year-old royal tied the knot with drinks ambassador Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Friday and her choice of gown featured a personal touch that paid tribute to her battle with scoliosis – which is a curvature of the spine.

Princess Eugenie of York receives help with her train from her father Prince Andrew, Duke of York as she arrives to her wedding to Mr. Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Eugenie chose a backless dress (Credit: Andrew Matthews – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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Eugenie underwent surgery to correct her spine’s curve when she was 12, and has been left with a long scar down her back.

But rather than cover up the permanent mark, she opted for an open back dress which showed off the scar, in the hopes of honouring those who had helped her and inspiring others with the condition.

Princess Eugenie of York arrives at St George's Chapel for her wedding to Jack Brooksbank in Windsor Castle on October 12, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Eugenie wanted to show the scar on her back from scoliosis surgery at the age of 12 (Credit: Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The dress – which was designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos – was a long-sleeved gown with a flowing train, folded shoulders, and a low back.

The royal chose not to wear a veil, accessorising instead with the Greville Emerald tiara which she borrowed from her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The bride Princess Eugenie of York with her father Prince Andrew, Duke of York arrives by car for her Royal wedding to Mr. Jack Brooksbank at St. George's Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
She was lent a beautiful tiara by her grandmother The Queen (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Eugenie had hinted at the meaning behind having her scar on show when she spoke to ITV’s This Morning prior to her wedding, saying she had planned a “lovely way” to pay tribute to other scoliosis sufferers.

She said: “I had an operation when I was 12 on my back, and you’ll see on Friday [at the wedding], but it’s a lovely way to honour the people who looked after me and a way of standing up for young people who also go through this.

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York walk down the steps followed by their page boys and bridesmaids after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The couple leave the chapel followed by their bridesmaids and page boys (Credit: Andrew Matthews – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“I think you can change the way beauty is, and you can show people your scars and I think it’s really special to stand up for that.”

On top of the revealing back, the gown was also adorned with a number of symbols that are meaningful to Princess Eugenie as motifs.

Princess Eugenie marries her fiance Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle
They took a short carriage ride through Windsor (Credit: Simon Bridger / SplashNews.com)

A statement from the Royal Family read: “The symbols are a Thistle for Scotland acknowledging the couple’s fondness for Balmoral, a Shamrock for Ireland as a nod to the Bride’s Ferguson family, the York Rose and ivy representing the couple’s home.”

Princess Eugenie also donned diamond and emerald drop ear-rings which were a wedding gift from Jack, as well as satin peep-toe heels by Charlotte Olympia.

Princess Eugenie
Her earrings were a wedding gift from her new husband (Credit: Neil Warner / SplashNews.com)

Around 850 guests including The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watched Eugenie and Jack marry.

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Their bridal party included Princess Charlotte, three, and Prince George, five, and Robbie and Ayda Williams’ six-year-old daughter Theodora, nicknamed Teddy.

Eugenie’s sister, Princess Beatrice, served as maid of honour, while Jack’s brother Thomas was best man.

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