Princess Beatrice Welcomes Second Baby, and Names Her In Honor of Queen Elizabeth

Princess Beatrice has given birth to her second child, a daughter named Athena Elizabeth Rose, Buckingham Palace announced Wednesday.

The baby girl was born last week, but Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi shared the news on the royal family’s social media channels. “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 12:57 pm, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. The baby was born weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces,” the Palace captioned an image of the newborn wrapped in a pink knit blanket. “Their Majesties The King and Queen and other members of The Royal Family have all been informed and are delighted with the news.”

On Mozzi’s Instagram account, he wrote that the couple’s second daughter was “tiny and absolutely perfect.” “We welcomed baby Athena into our lives last week. She is tiny and absolutely perfect,” he said. “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.”

Athena Elizabeth, who is believed to have been named after the late Queen Elizabeth II, is now 11th in the line of succession to the British throne. Princess Beatrice is the daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. As a blood princess, she retains her HRH title even though she is a private citizen who is not funded by the royal family. The arrival of the couple’s second child pushes Princess Beatrice’s younger sister Princess Eugenie down the line of succession to 12th place.

The newborn will not receive a royal title from the British monarchy as she is not the grandchild of King Charles. However, Mozzi is the eldest son of Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, and descends from Italian aristocracy. “Edoardo is the only male descendent taking the family into the next generation. He is a count – his wife will be a countess automatically and any of their children will be counts or nobile donna,” Count Alessandro told the Daily Mail in 2020.

Palace aides said mother and baby were doing well and added that Princess Beatrice and Mozzi wanted to thank all the staff at the hospital “for their wonderful care.” According to one, “The family are enjoying spending time together with Athena’s older siblings, Wolfie and Sienna.” Mozzi shares eight-year-old Wolfie with ex-fiancé Dara Huang, while Sienna, now three, is his daughter with Princess Beatrice.

The baby’s arrival comes amid speculation that Princess Beatrice and her sister Princess Eugenie could take on more official duties within the royal family.

Princess Beatrice and her family were invited to Sandringham for Christmas last month, signaling her inclusion within the inner fold. Palace aides have said that King Charles is fond of both Beatrice and Eugenie, and not opposed to the idea of them carrying out occasional royal duties to assist the Crown.

Beatrice, who works as a strategist at a technology firm, will of course have her hands full as a mother to three, however, she has said she wants to support the royal family where she can. Last year, she represented Charles at an event for The King’s Foundation while she was pregnant and King Charles was undergoing cancer treatment. She also joined Prince William at a garden party last summer.