Princess Eugenie's daughter born in Portugal sparks citizenship debate

In Portugal, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank welcomed their daughter on August 3, 2026, weighing 6lb 9oz. This marks a rare occasion as she is only the third British royal baby born abroad in the last century. While the newborn automatically qualifies for British citizenship, she does not meet the criteria for Portuguese citizenship due to her parents' recent residency in the country.

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lifestyle Published Aug 5, 2026

Topic overview

In brief

  • Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's daughter was born on August 3, 2026, in Lisbon, Portugal.
  • The baby qualifies for British citizenship but not for Portuguese citizenship due to residency requirements.
  • This birth is significant as it marks only the third British royal baby born outside of Britain in a century.

Summary

On August 3, 2026, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank welcomed their third child, a daughter, at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. Weighing 6lb 9oz, both mother and baby are reported to be doing well. This birth marks a significant moment in royal history, as the baby is only the third British royal to be born outside of Britain in the last century. Despite being born in Portugal, the newborn automatically qualifies for British citizenship due to her parentage, as any child born abroad to at least one UK citizen parent is eligible. However, she does not automatically qualify for Portuguese citizenship because the country does not grant birthright citizenship to children of foreign nationals. To be eligible for Portuguese citizenship, a child must have at least one parent legally residing in Portugal for five years at the time of birth, a criterion that the new royal does not meet since Eugenie and Brooksbank only began residing in Portugal in 2022. The couple is currently enjoying family time in Portugal while deciding on a name for their daughter. The baby is 15th in line to the British throne and the 15th great-grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II. This birth follows the recent trend of royal births abroad, with the last royal baby born outside the UK being Princess Lilibet of Sussex in June 2021. The arrival of Eugenie and Jack's daughter is a joyful occasion amidst the scrutiny faced by the royal family, particularly due to past controversies involving Eugenie's father, Prince Andrew, and his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The family is looking forward to this new chapter while navigating their public roles and personal lives.

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Updated Aug 5, 2026

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