But Princess Eugenie, who has just welcomed her first child into the world, remembers mum Sarah Ferguson telling her “this is the only time you don’t need manners” after a gruelling operation. She underwent eight hours of surgery to address issues caused by scoliosis – or curvature of the spine – after being diagnosed with the condition aged 12.
Eugenie woke up with “metal rods in her neck and eight-inch screws in her back” which are fused together.
The princess has a scar from her neck to her back and has been praised for proudly displaying it in her 2018 wedding – as she wore a dress designed to show it off.
In an unearthed video for Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, the Queen’s granddaughter recalled being “scared” as she was about to undergo surgery for her spine problems.
The Princess, who is a patron for the charity, described the treatment she received from staff at the hospital and told others with the same condition she wanted “to help as much as I can”.
Eugenie said: “When I first arrived that night I went to bed, everything was amazing – I had posters on my wall and flowers and everyone was so nice.
“And then the next morning only the next morning was I scared.”
The royal went on to describe her post-operation and the advice her mother Sarah – affectionately known as ‘Fergie’ – gave her.
Eugenie said in the 2012 clip: “I remember my nurse was so nice and I remember I came out of the operation and I said ‘water please’ and my mom said ‘this is the only time you don’t need manners’.”
Another added: “Really brave – great to see a Royal taking the lead on this.”
A third tagged the official Netflix The Crown Twitter account, adding: “In the upcoming seasons please have Princess Eugenie in it and portray her scoliosis surgery, please!!”
Ms Gerrard, who was 15 when she met Eugenie, told the Mail the details about their encounter.
She said: “I will never forget that day. It was just like we were talking to a friend.
“She told us about her scoliosis journey and what she had been through with her operations.
“At one point she unzipped her dress and showed us her scar.”
