Princess Eugenie shares her shocking scoliosis X-rays for the very first time

The 28-year-old princess - who is the daughter of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson - was just 12 years old when she was diagnosed with scoliosis and has paid tribute to the staff who cared for her when she went under the knife to have the curvature of her spine corrected in honour of International Scoliosis Awareness Day on Saturday (30.06.18).

She shared the photos on Instagram and wrote: "Today is International Scoliosis Awareness Day and I'm very proud to share my X Rays for the very first time.

"I also want to honour the incredible staff at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital who work tirelessly to save lives and make people better.

"They made me better and I am delighted to be their patron of the Redevelopment Appeal."

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She also shared a video in which she discussed how "nervous" she felt before she had her operation.

She said in the clip: "In 2002, when I was 12 years old, I was diagnosed with scoliosis (curvature of the spine), and told that I would need corrective surgery.

"This was, of course, a scary prospect for a 12-year-old; I can still vividly remember how nervous I felt in the days and weeks before the operation."

"I'm living proof that all these young people who have the same thing I have, maybe more so, or not, I have done it, I've been through it, and I want to be able to help as much as I can."

Eugenie has previously thanked her older sister, Princess Beatrice, and hailed her as an inspiration who supported her when she underwent surgery.

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She said: "As my big sister, you inspire me. I love that as a team we work hard to support each other, no matter what. When I was 12, I was diagnosed with, and treated for, scoliosis, and I have lived with two twelve inch metal rods in my back.

"It could have impacted my life and stopped me from doing the things I love. You encourage me not to get disheartened, not to give up, to live fearlessly."

This article was first published on Bang! Showbiz and is reproduced here with permission.