Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have welcomed their second child together, with baby Athena making an unexpected early appearance at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The royal baby, who shares her middle name Elizabeth with her late great-grandmother, arrived several weeks ahead of schedule on January 22nd.

Despite weighing just 4lb 5oz, the newest addition to the royal family is reported to be thriving. The early arrival follows a change in the family’s Christmas plans, when medical advice prompted Beatrice to remain in the UK rather than travel abroad, leading to a family celebration at Sandringham.

Proud father Edoardo shared his joy on social media, describing Athena as “tiny and absolutely perfect,” while Sarah, Duchess of York, enthusiastically welcomed her newest grandchild, playfully referring to her growing family as her “little 5-a-side team.”

The baby’s full name – Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi – carries significant weight, combining classical mythology with royal tradition. In Greek mythology, Athena represented wisdom and strategic skill, fitting for a family where Beatrice has been a vocal advocate for education and dyslexia awareness.

Athena, who becomes 11th in line to the throne, joins older sister Sienna and step-brother Wolfie in the growing family. The King and Queen have expressed their delight at the safe arrival of their newest family member, who was born at the same hospital as her sister Sienna in 2021.

The Palace has maintained the family’s privacy by releasing just one carefully chosen image of the newborn, showing only her tiny hand – a reflection of the more modern, privacy-conscious approach taken by many younger royals.