Princess Eugenie’s boyfriend flies to Balmoral Castle to ask the Queen for her blessing on their engagement
Young lovers are hoping to tie the knot next year after dating for six years
PRINCESS Eugenie and her nightclub boss boyfriend Jack Brooksbank will be hoping they get the royal seal of approval when they ask for the Queen's blessing ahead of their engagement.
The young lovers are at the Queen's Highland retreat in Balmoral this weekend where Prince Harry is hosting a shooting party to celebrate his 32nd birthday.
The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York and her partner will be joined by other distinguished guests including PM Theresa May who is visiting the royal residence for the first time.
The 26-year-old royal flew out to Aberdeen from London with Brooksbank, 29, on Thursday where he will be hoping for a warm welcome from Her Maj.
The love struck couple plan to get engaged within months and marry next year before moving into Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace.
An insider at the castle in Royal Deeside told the : " You could call this weekend a rite of passage for Jack.
“There is no way he would be invited to stay with the Queen unless he was being welcomed into the royal fold and the bosom of the family.
“Jack has met the Queen before but these few days will enable her to get to know him much better and see what he is like as a prospective member of the family.
“These relaxed weekends are the ideal way to break the ice.
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“Prince Harry is very close to Eugenie and of course will be her neighbour at Kensington Palace.
“He is hosting the shooting weekend and making sure that everyone is having a great time.
Princess Eugenie, who is eighth in line to the throne, began dating Jack six years ago after they met while skiing in the Swiss resort of Verbier and are reported to be 'very serious' about their relationship.
While staying at Balmoral, Jack will be expected to join the royals for pre-dinner drinks, dress formally for the evening meal and also take part in the daily routine of drinking tea and eating cucumber sandwiches.
A friend of Jack said: "You could say he was somewhat apprehensive about going to Balmoral.
“He’s the sort of chap who doesn’t have any enemies and I’m sure he will make a good impression.”
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