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Princess Eugenie: 'I wanted my wedding dress to show my scar' Princess Eugenie: 'I wanted my wedding dress to show my scar'
(about 4 hours later)
The Dress.The Dress.
For many brides what to wear on their big day is one of the most important decisions they'll make.For many brides what to wear on their big day is one of the most important decisions they'll make.
Ivory or white? A-line or mermaid? Long or short? Fitted or puffy?Ivory or white? A-line or mermaid? Long or short? Fitted or puffy?
But for Princess Eugenie there was an extra factor at play.But for Princess Eugenie there was an extra factor at play.
The Queen's granddaughter had major surgery on her back to treat a curvature of the spine at the age of 12.The Queen's granddaughter had major surgery on her back to treat a curvature of the spine at the age of 12.
Sixteen years on, and the princess chose to wear a wedding dress that showed her scar, saying she hoped it would honour those who had helped her and inspire others with the condition of scoliosis.Sixteen years on, and the princess chose to wear a wedding dress that showed her scar, saying she hoped it would honour those who had helped her and inspire others with the condition of scoliosis.
'I think you can change the way beauty is''I think you can change the way beauty is'
Ahead of the wedding, the princess spoke of the importance of showing "people your scars".Ahead of the wedding, the princess spoke of the importance of showing "people your scars".
And earlier this year she revealed for the first time her own X-rays from being treated for scoliosis as a child. And earlier this year she revealed for the first time her own X-rays from when she was treated for scoliosis as a child.
"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," she told ITV's This Morning."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," she told ITV's This Morning.
"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.""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."
What is scoliosis and why does it mostly affect young girls?What is scoliosis and why does it mostly affect young girls?
Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to bend to one side, making the back appear rounded and shoulder blades stick out.Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to bend to one side, making the back appear rounded and shoulder blades stick out.
It most often starts in children aged 10 to 15 but there is often no known cause. Sometimes it is caused by the bones not forming properly in the womb or other medical conditions, including cerebral palsy.It most often starts in children aged 10 to 15 but there is often no known cause. Sometimes it is caused by the bones not forming properly in the womb or other medical conditions, including cerebral palsy.
Three to four children in 1,000 need treatment from a specialist.Three to four children in 1,000 need treatment from a specialist.
The Scoliosis Association UK says about five out of six people with adolescent idiosyncratic scoliosis are female - but it is not known why. The Scoliosis Association UK says about five out of six people with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis are female - but it is not known why.
In Princess Eugenie's case, it required corrective surgery and she had the operation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.In Princess Eugenie's case, it required corrective surgery and she had the operation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
The princess, now 28, has previously spoken of how she felt in the weeks before her surgery, saying it was "a scary prospect for a 12-year-old; I can still vividly remember how nervous I felt".The princess, now 28, has previously spoken of how she felt in the weeks before her surgery, saying it was "a scary prospect for a 12-year-old; I can still vividly remember how nervous I felt".
"During my operation, which took eight hours, my surgeons inserted eight-inch titanium rods into each side of my spine and one-and-a-half inch screws at the top of my neck. After three days in intensive care, I spent a week on a ward and six days in a wheelchair, but I was walking again after that," she says in her story on the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital's website."During my operation, which took eight hours, my surgeons inserted eight-inch titanium rods into each side of my spine and one-and-a-half inch screws at the top of my neck. After three days in intensive care, I spent a week on a ward and six days in a wheelchair, but I was walking again after that," she says in her story on the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital's website.
The princess has made sure those who helped her - and those who have the condition - are represented at the wedding. 'I thought I'd be in a wheelchair by 30'
Scoliosis sufferer Julia Carlisle is attending the event, after the pair struck up a friendship when the royal saw the 15-year-old perform with dance group MerseyGirls on Britain's Got Talent. Trainee teacher Camilla Seckin also had surgery for the condition at the same hospital.
Julia said ahead of the dress reveal that it would be a special moment if Eugenie showed off her scar. She was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 21 but didn't decide to have surgery until she was 25.
"Wow, that would mean so much to me," she told This Morning. "I was really terrified and really in denial about having the surgery, but I knew it was something that I had to get done.
The teenager said people often wanted to "hide their scars" but it was important to "be proud". "At this point my back was at a 72-degree curvature and the prognosis was that I'd be in a wheel chair by the age of 30.
"It will bring a tear to my eye," she added. "I felt very insecure about my appearance but I feel confident now and I'm not ashamed of having the condition."
Camilla encourages sufferers to speak up "as it can be quite lonely if you don't".
"Building a network with people who have had the surgery has really helped me. I can still do things despite my condition."
'Eugenie can inspire others who are affected''Eugenie can inspire others who are affected'
The princess also invited representatives from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust to attend her wedding to Jack Brooksbank. She's now also patron of the hospital's charity. Jan Lehovsky, a spinal surgeon who was part of the team who operated on the princess, said: "Most of the patients affected by scoliosis are young girls and she's a real role model for them.
Jan Lehovsky, consultant orthopaedic spinal surgeon at the hospital, who was part of the team who operated on the princess, said: "It's an honour to be here. "She's someone who can inspire them, which is so important for the young ladies coming through the surgery."
"And it's so important to have her involved with the charity. Most of the patients affected by scoliosis are young girls and she's a real role model for them. She's someone who can inspire them, which is so important for the young ladies coming through the surgery. Do you have a large scar that you are comfortable for others to see? Tell us your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
"Princess Eugenie shows them they can lead a normal life despite having this condition. It's quite comforting for them and really lifts them." Or use the form below
Mr Lehovsky said it had been quite lengthy surgery, involving a large team.
Claire Curley, national director of the Scoliosis Association UK, said when people were diagnosed with the condition it could be "very scary".
"It's fantastic that Eugenie is feeling confident," she said.