Princess Eugenie is going through a positive moment in her life, even as her parents, former Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, remain mired in disgrace over their close ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Eugenie is expecting her third child, a future little sibling for August and Ernest, ages five and two.
Her presence at official events remains rare, but she’s become one of the more boundary-pushing members of the British royal family, whether it’s in the causes she champions, proudly showing off her scoliosis surgery scar on her wedding day, or a tiny tattoo that’s largely flown under the radar. It’s one whose meaning she’s never explained.
A four-year mystery
Nobody knows exactly when Princess Eugenie got it, but the tattoo first became visible to the public in June 2022, during the National Service of Thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. With her hair pulled back, a small black circle was clearly visible behind her ear.
© Getty ImagesFrom that moment on, Eugenie became the only senior British royal with a visible tattoo. Other Windsors, like Lady Amelia Windsor, have tattoos, but Eugenie’s stood out because as the late queen’s granddaughter she appeared more regularly at official royal engagements.
What does it mean?
The younger daughter of Andrew and Sarah Ferguson has never explained her tattoo.
© WireImageThe most common theory is that the small circle represents the cycle of life, wholeness, perfection, or continuity. Some believe it could be a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, tied to the Sovereign’s Orb, one of the most iconic pieces of the coronation regalia, though that has never been confirmed.
A symbol of who she is
Some British outlets interpret the tattoo as a reflection of Eugenie’s character and personal style, since she’s known as one of the more modern and individualistic princesses. It’s subtle and barely noticeable when she wears her hair down, but it still breaks from the buttoned-up image typically tied to the British monarchy.
© Max Mumby/IndigoVisible ink isn’t common among royals, but there’s no rule or protocol banning tattoos in the Royal Household.
She’s not the only one
As surprising as it might seem, tattoos aren’t entirely foreign to the British monarchy. King George V had a tattoo of a dragon and a tiger, which he obtained on a trip to Japan when he was still a prince.
When it comes to other monarchies, there’s also a fair share of tattooed royals: Sofia of Sweden has a sun on her upper back and a small design on her ankle; Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and Andrea Casiraghi both have tattoos; King Frederik of Denmark has a shark on his leg; Tsar Nicholas II had a snake; and Don Juan de Borbón, King Felipe VI’s grandfather, had both arms covered in designs, including a mermaid, an anchor, and a dragon.
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