Wantaway royals Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have ripped a chapter out of Prince Harry and Meghan’s book — albeit with a few choice edits.
The happy couple and their one-year-old son, August, have upped sticks — for part of the year, anyway — and heading for sunnier climes.
But rather than the US, where Eugenie had been tipped to follow her cousin, the 32-year-old royal and her property developer husband have plumped for Comporta, Portugal, a hot spot just an hour’s drive from Lisbon and slap bang in the A-list’s favourite new playground.
Who is Jack Brooksbank, Princess Eugenie’s husband?
Handsome Jack, 36, goes way back with the Royal family. A Stowe School grad, the Buckingham boy is a descendant of the Brooksbank baronets.
Jack the lad skipped university to try his arm in hospitality. A hard grafting and talented worker who managed Mahiki, a favourite night spot of Prince Harry’s, before setting up his own company, Jack Brooksbank Limited, a wine wholesaler.
Eugenie and Jack met 12 years ago, on a ski trip to Verbier, Switzerland, after Jack had scooped a job as a brand ambassador for Casamigos, the tequila company founded by George Clooney, Cindy Crawford’s husband Randy Gerber, and property multimillionaire Mike Meldman.
How did Jack Brooksbank propose to Princess Eugenie?
Jack proposed to Eugenie in 2018, in Nicaragua.
'We had a beautiful volcano, [the] sun was setting, birds were flying,' he told BBC in a joint interview with his fiancée.
'The lake was so beautiful,' Eugenie added. 'The light was just a special light that I've never seen. I actually said, 'This is an incredible moment,' and then he popped the question.'
Eugenie’s parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, took an immediate shine to Jack.
When did Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank get married?
Later in 2018 — the second royal wedding that year, after Prince Harry and Meghan had got hitched in the summer.
They tied the knotin the St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on 12 October. Eugenie 'pulled a Meghan' and surprised the waiting fashion press by choosing a custom 'princess dress' gown by Peter Pilotto, a British brand founded by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos in 2007. She also wore the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, made by Boucheron in 1919 and borrowed from the Queen’s vault for the occasion.
The crowd was a fun one, too. Model Cara Delevingne turned up in a suit that was described by The Telegraph's Judith Woods as 'Artful Dodger in heels'. Demi Moore joshed around with Tracey Emin; Jack Whitehall and Ellie Goulding mixed with the likes of Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and James Blunt.
Why are Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank moving to Portugal?
According to the Evening Standard, Jack has been brought over to work in marketing, sales and promotion for Meldman’s Discovery Land Company, which has been developing a soon-to-be-swanky coastal plot comprised of 300 homes in Comportona.
Lucky them. Sunset parties, chic neighbours and a luxury lifestyle are all on tap. Cavalos na Areia, pop star Madonna’s favourite stables, are just around the corner. Amal and George Clooney are rumoured to be keen on snapping up one of Meldman’s £3.6m homes.
Eugenie, who spent two years working for online auction house Paddle8 in New York City, will be able to split her time between Portugal and London, where she works as a director for the London art gallery Hauser & Wirth.
Things You Didn’t Know About Jack Brooksbank – Grazia
1 of 7He used to manage Mahiki
Yep, the nightclub Mahiki in Mayfair, where Prince Harry and Eugenie's sister Beatrice used to hang out.
2 of 7He’s the UK ambassador for George Clooney’s tequila brand
In keeping with the nightlife theme, he represents George Clooney and Rande Gerber's tequila brand Casamigos.
3 of 7He really likes Skype
When Eugenie moved to New York for a job in 2013, Skype is how the pair kept in touch – how very modern.
4 of 7He’s a ‘commoner’
Just like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, Jack isn't from a titled family – but some reports say he is descended from the Brooksbank baronets (a title just below baron.)
5 of 7He reportedly turned down the title of Earl
According to Hello!, Jack Brooksbank was offered the title of Earl, but refused it, and Princess Eugenie will change her official title, choosing to be styled as Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie, Mrs Jack Brooksbank.
6 of 7He skipped University
And went from private school in Buckinghamshire straight into a career in hospitality.
7 of 7He wants to be the next Mr Wetherspoon
Well, he once told the Daily Mail that he dreams of opening a chain of pubs. 'It has been my dream since I was 18. I have fond memories of Sunday roasts in pubs with log fires, and it's something I want to recreate.'