Princess Beatrice ‘besotted’ by ‘tiny’ daughter born weeks early

Victoria Ward
·3-min read
Princess Beatrice baby
Princess Beatrice’s baby Athena was born, weighing 4lb 5oz

Princess Beatrice is “completely besotted” after welcoming a “tiny” baby girl born several weeks early.

The Princess, 36, gave birth to her second daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, last Wednesday at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in central London.

Her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 41, posted a photograph on Instagram of the newborn swaddled in a blanket. He described her as “tiny and absolutely perfect”, adding that their hearts were “overflowing”.

The King, the Queen and other members of the Royal family are said to be “delighted” with the news.

The little girl was born 11th in line to the throne – the fourth grandchild for the Duke of York and his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York.

She was born several weeks prematurely on Jan 22, weighing 4lb 5oz. But despite the early arrival, both mother and baby were said to be doing well and have returned home to be with the couple’s elder daughter Sienna, three, and Mr Mapelli Mozzi’s son – Beatrice’s stepson – Wolfie, eight.

Princess Beatrice and her daughter Sienna
Princess Beatrice and her daughter Sienna

Princess Beatrice had been due to give birth in early spring and was advised not to travel long distances by her medical team in December.

However, both the Princess and her week-old daughter are healthy and doing well despite the baby’s early arrival, and both have left hospital and are at home.

The palace said: “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 Jan 22 at 12.57pm.

“The baby was born weighing 4lb and 5oz.

“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.”

Mr Mapelli Mozzi wrote on Instagram that their hearts were “overflowing”.

He said: “We welcomed Baby Athena into our lives last week. 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.”

Mr Mapelli Mozzi with his two children Sienna (centre) and Wolfie (right)
Mr Mapelli Mozzi with his daughter Sienna, centre, and son Wolfie, right - PA

Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice’s sister, celebrated the new arrival by posting “Welcome Baby Girl” and sharing Mr Mapelli Mozzi’s photograph of baby Athena wrapped in a pink blanket on her Instagram Stories.

Sarah, Duchess of York posted on social media: “Overflowing with love and joy to be able to welcome Athena Elizabeth Rose into the world.

“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 five-a-side team.”

Buckingham Palace announced on Oct 1 that Princess Beatrice was pregnant with her second child.

The happy news came during one of the Royal family’s most personally challenging years, with the King, the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York all being diagnosed with cancer.

The Duchess was treated for malignant melanoma skin cancer in January, months after undergoing a mastectomy for breast cancer, but Princess Beatrice said in May that the Duchess had been given the “all clear”.

It emerged in December that the Princess had planned to spend Christmas with Mr Mapelli Mozzi and his family abroad.

However, she was advised by her medical team that it would be inadvisable to travel long distances at this late stage of pregnancy and so they instead spent the festive season at Sandringham with the Royal family.

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