Why Princess Eugenie's visit to a Nottingham hospital was so important to her

Princess Eugenie enjoyed a busy day of charitable engagements recently, heading to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham for an important visit.

It was a poignant and significant day for the 28-year-old Princess, as it was centred around a subject very close to her heart.

During the day, the royal met with the UK's leading spinal experts, and patients who have faced problems with their spines. Of course, Eugenie herself has significant experience in the area. When she was just 12 years old, she underwent back surgery to correct her scoliosis (curvature of the spine), thankfully making a full recovery.

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Princess Eugenie met with one young boy, Jayson Walker, during the visit, who had also had an operation to treat his scoliosis last year.

The Princess spent time talking to the adorable former patient, who was wearing a surgeon costume given to him by Mike Grevitt, the leading spinal surgeon who perfomed his operation.

Jayson's mum Kerry Walker said that it was great to meet someone as high-profile as Eugenie, who has been through the same thing as her son.

She confessed, "It has been lovely meeting Princess Eugenie today; it is great to hear her story and is very inspirational for the children on the ward to meet her as she has had similar experiences as a child.

"You just don’t think it happens to other people other than your own flesh and blood. She is such a normal, down to earth person and it was good of her to visit Nottingham today.”

Mike, who is thought to be one of the UK's leading spinal doctors, praised Eugenie's visit for shining a light on the important work done at the centre.

He said, “Today’s visit gave us the opportunity to highlight the world-class work carried out by the spinal team in the treatment of patients with spinal injuries and deformities."

Princess Eugenie has spoken about her scoliosis diagnosis and treatment extensively in the past, and is even a patron of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, where she had her surgery.

She also proved that she was proud of her spinal surgery scars with a touching move at her wedding to Jack Brooksbank last year.

Eugenie opted to create a dress that showed off her scars, in order to 'stand up' for young people who have been through a similar thing.

She told This Morning, "It's a lovely way to honour the people who looked after me and a way of standing up for young people who also go through this,"

"I think you can change the way beauty is, and you can show people your scars and I think it's really special to stand up for that."