Princess Eugenie’s father-in-law George Brooksbank dies after lengthy Covid-19 battle

Princess Eugenie’s father-in-law died just days before her son was christened in Windsor yesterday, following a lengthy battle with Covid-19.

Princess Eugenie’s father-in-law has died aged 72, just days before Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank’s son August was christened.

Jack’s father, George Brooksbank, passed away last week after being “ill for some time” following a battle with Covid-19 last year, The Sun reports.

It’s upsetting timing for Eugenie and Jack, whose nine-month old son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank was christened at the All Saints Chapel in Windsor Great Park on Monday.

A royal insider told MailOnline: “George had been in hospital with Covid and had not been the same after that. He had been unwell for some time. It’s been a difficult time for Jack losing his father before the christening.”

Another source said it was “wonderful” that George was alive to meet August, after having spent five weeks on a ventilator last year.

George’s official cause of death has not been confirmed.

Retired chartered accountant and company director George lived with his wife of 36 years, Nicola in Wandsworth, south London.

Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank arriving at the christening of their son August at All Saints Chapel in Windsor. Picture: News Licensing/MEGA

Monday’s joint christening for Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall’s sons – August and Lucas – was held in Windsor, and was said to be a royal first.

There were fears the Queen would not be able to attend after she was forced to miss Remembrance Sunday commemorations due to a sprained back.

But, in a sighting that no doubt reassured Brits across the country, she was seen being driven away from the chapel in a dark green Range Rover yesterday.

Courtiers were told the Queen was insistent on witnessing the service, making the decision to be there in person after taking advice from her personal doctor that morning.

Eugenie, who married her husband Jack in 2018, looked glamorous in a white silk dress, which she paired with a statement headband and blue pendant necklace for the ceremony.

George Brooksbank died just days before August’s christening. Picture: Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images

August – who is 13th in line to the throne – was born in February at London’s Portland Hospital.

His christening was initially due to take place in July. However, celebrations were apparently scrapped after a fellow attendee allegedly either tested positive for coronavirus or was pinged by the NHS Covid-19 app minutes before.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank with their son August Philip Hawke Brooksbank. Picture: Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Lucas Phillip Tindall was born in March this year.

Zara’s husband, Mike Tindall, revealed on his podcast that the 3.7kg baby came faster than was expected and was born on the bathroom floor.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, he said: “Sunday got even better because a little baby boy arrived at my house! Yeah brilliant, six o’clock last night,” he said.

“Arrived very quickly, didn’t make it to hospital, on the bathroom floor!”

Both boys were reportedly christened with fresh holy water from Prince Charles’ trip to Jordan this week. It is unknown if either baby wore the traditional royal Honiton lace christening gown.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced here with permission