Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, welcomed their second child in January 2025, but the experience wasn’t without its challenges as baby Athena arrived prematurely.
Now, Beatrice has opened up about her birth story.
“Nothing quite prepares you for the moment when you realise your baby is going to arrive early,” she revealed in a first-person account via British Vogue. “There’s so little control. Will she arrive healthy? Will there be complications? How will you juggle the rest of family life while trying to keep a tiny human safe and well?”
Princess Beatrice went on to recount the “sheer worry” she experienced, but said she “learned so much.” The 36-year-old revealed that Athena “needed close monitoring” throughout her pregnancy, and that she and Edo “understood we needed to prepare for an early arrival.”
Beatrice went on to say her baby was “so tiny” at the time, and that “it took more than few weeks for the tears of relief to dry and for life with our healthy baby to feel real.” The Princess also confirmed that Athena “is now doing really well” and she has had “a few more answers as to what happened, but still no precise explanation” as to why her daughter arrived early.
The couple took to Instagram to share the news of Athena’s arrival on 30 January.
“Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi. We welcomed Baby Athena into our lives last week,” Edoardo shared. “She is tiny and absolutely perfect. We are all (including Wolfie and Sienna) already completely besotted with her. Our hearts are overflowing with love for you, baby Athena. 💕
“A massive thank you from my wife and I goes out to all the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their exceptional care and support during this incredibly special time. 🙏🏼👼”
“🍼🎉 Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, born on Wednesday, 22nd January, at 12:57pm,” the royal family shared on Instagram.
“The baby was born weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces.
“The King and Queen, and other members of The Royal Family have all been informed and are delighted with the news.
“Princess Beatrice and Mr Mapelli Mozzi would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care.
“Her Royal Highness and her daughter are healthy and doing well, and the family are enjoying spending time together with Athena’s older siblings, Wolfie and Sienna.”
The couple’s first child, Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, was born in September 2021, and Edoardo also has an eight-year-old son from a previous relationship, Christopher Wolf “Wolfie” Mapelli Mozzi.
Along with the official royal family page, members of Beatrice’s immediate family also shared their excitement amid the news.
“Overflowing with love and joy to be able to welcome Athena Elizabeth Rose into the world,” Beatrice’s mother, Sarah Ferguson shared on Instagram. “She is already so adored and I’m incredibly blessed to be a Granny once again. So proud of Edo, Beatrice and the rest of my little 5-a-side team! ❤️”
Baby Athena has officially become 11th in line to the throne behind her older sister, Sienna.
However, she doesn’t have an official royal title as Edoardo did not receive one himself from the late Queen Elizabeth II prior to he and Beatrice’s marriage.
The couple have been together since 2018, and became engaged in Italy in September 2019.
Beatrice and Edoardo went on to tie the knot in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning they had a private and intimate ceremony at Windsor Castle in front of just 20 guests, including Beatrice’s grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
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