Princess Beatrice, the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, has welcomed her second child with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Their daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, was born on January 22 at 12:57 p.m. at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, Buckingham Palace announced on Wednesday.
The birth came earlier than expected, as Athena was initially due in the early spring. Despite her premature arrival, both mother and daughter are reportedly doing well. "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 palace said in a statement.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family have been informed of Athena's birth and are said to be "delighted with the news." The newborn joins a growing royal family and is now 11th in the British line of succession.
Athena's name carries deep significance. Her first middle name, Elizabeth, honors Beatrice's late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, echoing the tradition set by her older sister, Sienna, who also has Elizabeth as a middle name.
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, a property developer and CEO of Banda Property, shared the first photo of Athena on Instagram, capturing the newborn wrapped in a pink blanket while raising her tiny hand to her face. "She is tiny and absolutely perfect," he wrote in the caption. "We are all (including Wolfie and Sienna) already completely besotted with her. Our hearts are overflowing with love for you, baby Athena."
Mozzi also took the opportunity to thank the hospital staff who assisted with the birth. "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," he wrote, adding heart and angel emojis.
Princess Beatrice, 36, and Mozzi, 41, have been married since 2020, tying the knot in a small, private ceremony during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their first child together, Sienna Elizabeth, was born in September 2021. Mozzi also has a son, Christopher Woolf, known as "Wolfie," from a previous relationship with architect and designer Dara Huang.
The couple had originally planned to spend the holidays in Italy with Mozzi's family but adjusted their plans after Beatrice was advised by doctors to rest. She instead remained in the U.K. for Christmas, attending a pre-holiday gathering at Buckingham Palace and joining the royal family for their annual Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.
