Andrew Windsor and Sarah Ferguson pinned their hopes on Eugenie

Buckingham Palace announced Eugenie’s pregnancy on May 4, confirming that King Charles, 77, had been informed and was “delighted by the news”. Eugenie and Brooksbank already share sons August, five, and Ernest, two.

Ferguson has long embraced her role as grandmother to Eugenie and Princess Beatrice’s children.

Beatrice, 37, shares daughters Sienna, four, and Athena, one, with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 42, and is stepmother to his son Wolfie, nine.

Ferguson previously said of Eugenie’s eldest son August: “Well, baby August is phenomenal. He’s a very strong little guy. August thinks I’m hysterical.”

She later added about Beatrice’s stepson: “I’m so lucky. And I love little Wolfie, my step-grandson. He’s five and I really enjoy it because he says, ‘I want to go see Duchy!'”