Who Is Annina? Unpacking the Personal Meaning Behind Princess Eugenie’s Newborn Daughter’s Name
Fourteen days after welcoming their third child and first daughter in Portugal, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank officially introduced baby Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank.
In a social media announcement, Eugenie revealed that the moniker pays homage to “three people we love and admire past and present, including her Great-Grandmother who we hold close in our hearts.” While the historical and familial roots of Adelaide and Elizabeth are immediately clear, the third name, Annina, points to a closer, private bond.
The Personal and Royal Inspirations
The full name seamlessly weaves British royal tradition with Portuguese heritage and intimate friendships:
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Adelaide: Draws inspiration from Maria Adelaide of Portugal and King William IV’s consort, Queen Adelaide (whose diamond brooches Eugenie wore as hair accessories at her 2018 wedding reception).
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Elizabeth: An unmistakable tribute to Eugenie’s late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
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Annina: Stemming from an undisclosed personal connection, widely believed to honour a close friend.
Because the couple splits their time between the UK and Portugal due to Jack’s work, Eugenie noted that the full combination reflects the culture of “two places we love and call home.”
The Likely Connection: Annina Pfuel
Although the palace has not publicly confirmed the exact namesake, Eugenie shares a well-documented friendship with Bavarian-born designer Annina Pfuel.
The daughter of Count Christian Bruges-von Pfuel, Annina works internationally as a costume designer, set designer, and creative director across film, opera, and fashion. The two move in the same circles and follow each other on Instagram. In 2024, Princess Eugenie travelled to Bavaria to attend Annina’s wedding to Caspar von Veltheim, where she was photographed in traditional dirndl attire.
Linguistic Roots and Royal Parallels
Beyond personal ties, the name carries classical weight. According to Sophie Kihm, baby name expert and editor-in-chief at Nameberry:
“Annina is a rare Italian nickname derived from Anne or Anna. You could interpret it to mean ‘little Anne’ or ‘grace,’ the meaning of Anne/Anna. Anne is a frequent player in the British Royals family tree. Eugenie has an aunt Anne, and it is the name of six queens of England.”
A Growing Family
Adelaide was born on August 3, 2026, at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, placing her 15th in line to the British throne.
Sharing a photo of the newborn, Eugenie expressed her joy on Instagram: “Jack and I are so excited to announce Baby Girl Brooksbank!! We are beyond in love with our girlie.”
Buckingham Palace confirmed the arrival in a formal statement, noting that King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the wider Royal Family were delighted by the news.
