Princess Eugenie has revealed the full name of her newborn daughter, explaining that the carefully chosen name carries special meaning for her family and includes a touching tribute to her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The King’s niece and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, recently welcomed their first daughter after previously becoming parents to two boys. Eugenie gave birth earlier this month at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, marking another happy milestone for the couple and their growing family.
Two weeks after the baby’s arrival, Eugenie shared the name they had selected: Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank.
The princess announced the news through an emotional Instagram post accompanied by the song “My Girl.” She also published several new family photographs, giving followers a glimpse into the first weeks of life with their daughter. One particularly sweet image showed Adelaide spending time with her older brothers, August and Ernest.
Eugenie described the period following the birth as an exceptionally warm and memorable time for the family. She said the two weeks since Adelaide entered the world had been filled with affection, happiness and precious moments at home.
The princess explained that each part of her daughter’s name has significance. Adelaide Elizabeth Annina was chosen in honour of three individuals whom Eugenie and Jack admire and love, representing connections with both the past and the present.
One of the most meaningful elements is the name Elizabeth, which honours Eugenie’s grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. Eugenie made clear that the former monarch continues to occupy an important place in the family’s hearts even after her death.
The choice therefore allows the new generation of the family to maintain a symbolic connection with one of its most important figures.
Queen Elizabeth II was Eugenie’s paternal grandmother and played a significant role throughout her life. By choosing Elizabeth as one of Adelaide’s middle names, Eugenie and Jack have ensured that their daughter carries a direct reminder of her great-grandmother.
Elizabeth is already a particularly important name among female members of the British Royal Family. Several royal women have carried it as either a first or middle name over the generations. Princess Charlotte, the daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales, also has Elizabeth among her middle names.
However, the historical significance of Adelaide’s full name extends beyond her connection to Queen Elizabeth II.
Eugenie explained that her daughter’s name reflects both English and Portuguese history. This is especially appropriate for the Brooksbank family because Britain and Portugal are two countries that have become important parts of their lives and are both regarded as home.
The first name Adelaide is believed to have been inspired partly by Queen Adelaide, the wife of King William IV.
The name itself has German origins and is traditionally associated with the meaning “noble.” Queen Adelaide was born in Germany in 1792 and later became Queen consort of the United Kingdom after her husband became King William IV.
She held that position between 1830 and 1837.
During her years as Queen consort, Adelaide developed a reputation for kindness and charitable activity. She supported numerous causes and became known for her generosity toward people in need.
Her historical influence extended well beyond Britain. The Australian city of Adelaide was named in her honour, ensuring that her name became associated with one of Australia’s major cities.
There is also a fascinating personal connection between Princess Eugenie and Queen Adelaide.
When Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank in 2018, she wore pieces of jewellery connected with the former Queen during her evening wedding reception. Eugenie used two diamond ear brooches as decorative hair slides.
Those pieces had originally been commissioned by King William IV for his wife, Queen Adelaide. Their appearance at Eugenie’s wedding created a subtle historical connection between the two royal women years before Eugenie selected Adelaide as the name of her daughter.
However, Queen Adelaide is not believed to be the only historical inspiration behind the baby’s first name.
Adelaide also has an important connection with Portugal through Santa Maria Adelaide, a well-known religious figure who remains particularly admired in the country.
Maria Adelaide was born in Porto in 1835 and died in 1885. She became widely respected for her charitable nature and commitment to supporting disadvantaged people, particularly the poor.
Although she has never officially been canonised by the Roman Catholic Church, Santa Maria Adelaide remains one of Portugal’s most popular uncanonised saints.
Her reputation for compassion and generosity has endured for generations, giving the name Adelaide an additional Portuguese connection that complements its place in British royal history.
That combination appears particularly appropriate for Eugenie and Jack because of their strong relationship with Portugal.
Their daughter was born in Lisbon, and the family have established significant connections with the country. Eugenie’s announcement specifically highlighted the fact that Adelaide’s name represents both English and Portuguese heritage, bringing together two places that the couple love.
The second name, Elizabeth, provides the clearest personal royal tribute.
Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022 after a historic reign lasting more than seven decades. For Eugenie, however, she was not simply Britain’s longest-serving monarch but also a beloved grandmother.
By giving her daughter Elizabeth as a middle name, Eugenie has created a direct link between Adelaide and the great-grandmother she will never have the opportunity to know personally.
The decision also follows a longstanding royal tradition of using family names across generations. Royal children frequently receive middle names that recognise parents, grandparents or other important relatives, allowing historical and personal connections to continue.
The meaning behind Adelaide’s third name, Annina, is more private.
While Eugenie provided historical explanations for Adelaide and Elizabeth, Annina is believed to relate to a personal connection. Further details about exactly whom the name honours have not been publicly disclosed.
That makes Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank a combination of royal history, Portuguese heritage and intimate family significance.
Alongside explaining the name, Eugenie also shared how her sons have reacted to having a younger sister.
August, affectionately known as Augie, and Ernest, known as Ernie, have apparently embraced their new responsibilities enthusiastically. Eugenie described both boys as already being wonderful older brothers to Adelaide.
The photographs accompanying the announcement reinforced that message, showing the children beginning to form their relationship with the newest member of the family.
For Eugenie and Jack, Adelaide’s birth marks a new stage in family life.
The couple married at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in October 2018 in a ceremony attended by members of the Royal Family and numerous celebrity guests.
They later welcomed their first son, August, followed by their second son, Ernest. Adelaide is their third child and first daughter.
Her arrival in Portugal also reflects how the couple’s lives have increasingly developed beyond Britain while remaining closely connected to the Royal Family.
The choice of name appears designed to represent that combination.
Adelaide links the baby with both Queen Adelaide in British history and Maria Adelaide in Portuguese tradition. Elizabeth provides a deeply personal connection to Queen Elizabeth II, while Annina adds another element of private family meaning.
Rather than choosing a name based solely on royal tradition, Eugenie and Jack appear to have selected one that represents several different parts of their family’s identity.
The historical Queen Adelaide was remembered for generosity and charitable work, while Maria Adelaide similarly became famous in Portugal for helping those in need. Queen Elizabeth II, meanwhile, represents the most immediate family connection through Adelaide’s great-grandmother.
The announcement was therefore much more than simply revealing the newborn’s name.
It provided an explanation of how Eugenie and Jack are connecting their daughter with generations of history while also recognising the countries that have become central to their family life.
For Eugenie, the inclusion of Elizabeth is perhaps the most emotional element. Her grandmother remains an important presence in the family’s memory, and Adelaide will now carry her name throughout her life.
At the same time, the references to British and Portuguese history give the newborn a name that reflects the circumstances surrounding her birth and the international life of her family.
With August and Ernest reportedly enjoying their new roles as older brothers, Eugenie and Jack are now settling into life as a family of five.
Their daughter’s arrival has brought what Eugenie described as a particularly loving and comfortable period for the family. And through the name Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank, they have created a lasting connection between their newest child, the late Queen, their personal family history and the two countries they proudly call home.