Princess Beatrice ‘besotted’ with her new premature baby girl, 11th in line to the throne

Buckingham Palace delayed announcing the birth of Princess Beatrice’s new baby girl for a week following her premature arrival and low birth weight.

Princess Beatrice has welcomed a baby daughter. Picture: Instagram

Princess Beatrice of York has given birth prematurely to a healthy baby girl and both mother and the tiny baby are well, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Beatrice, 36, gave birth on January 22 to baby Athena Elizabeth Rose, 11th in line to the throne, who arrived weighing just under two kilograms.

The delay in announcing such baby news for a week is unusual but it has given the York family space to ensure the health of both mother and baby before Beatrice took her new daughter home. The baby had not been due until around March.

Athena joins the York family, with three-year-old big sister Sienna and eight-year-old half brother Wolfie said to be “besotted”.

Beatrice’s husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi 41, said his new 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 Rose Mapelli Mozzi was born on Wednesday January 22. Picture: Buckingham Palace via Getty Images.

Just before Christmas Beatrice had been warned not to travel and she readjusted her festive plans, cancelling a trip to Italy which was to spend time with Edo’s family and instead she and Edo joined the Royal Family at Sandringham in Norfolk.

Buckingham Palace’s announcement 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, 22nd January, at 12:57pm.

‘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.”

Buckingham Palace added: “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.’’

Athena is the fourth grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York. Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank have two sons, August, aged three, and Ernest, one.

Sarah 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 5-a-side team!”