Buckingham Palace has shared details about the arrival of Princess Beatrice’s second child, born earlier this month.
Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, welcomed their daughter, Athena, on January 22. She arrived several weeks early, weighing 4lb 5oz.
Despite the premature birth, both mother and baby are now home and reportedly doing well.
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have shared a heartwarming photo of their newborn daughter, dressed in a long-sleeved baby sleepsuit and wrapped in a soft pink blanket.
The announcement has come as an unexpected surprise, as Beatrice was originally expected to give birth in early spring. Back in December, she had even been advised by doctors to avoid long-distance travel for health reasons.
Expressing their gratitude, the royal couple personally thanked the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for “their wonderful care.”
Buckingham Palace has now released official details regarding the birth. In a statement, they confirmed:
“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, January 22, at 12:57 PM at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.”
“The baby was born weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces.”
“Their Majesties The King and Queen, along with other members of the royal family, have all been informed and are overjoyed with the news.”
Although the exact number of weeks Beatrice was pregnant when she gave birth hasn’t been disclosed, an earlier statement from the palace in October confirmed she was due in “early spring.”
Meanwhile, Athena’s birth weight suggests she arrived a bit early, as she weighed about the same as two and a half bags of sugar.
According to NHS guidelines, a full-term baby at 37 weeks typically weighs between three and four kilograms (up to 8.8 pounds).
Beatrice first shared the news of her pregnancy in October.
At the time, the royal family marked the announcement with new photos. One showed little Sienna walking hand-in-hand with her father and big brother, Wolfie, along a scenic country path. Another image captured a beaming Beatrice as she posed for the camera while her husband embraced her.
In an official statement, Buckingham Palace shared: “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together in early spring; a sibling for Wolfie, aged eight, and Sienna, aged three.
“His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news.”
