New royal baby born ‘several weeks early’ weighing same as two bags of sugar
A new ‘perfect’ royal baby has been born, and she has a name from Greek mythology.
Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi announced today that she has given birth to a daughter.
Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi was born at 12.57pm on January 22 weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.
An official statement said: ‘Their Majesties The King and Queen and other members of The Royal Family have all been informed and are delighted with the news.
‘Her Royal Highness and her daughter are healthy and doing well, and the family are enjoying spending time together with Athena’s older siblings.’
The Royal Family previously said they were ‘very pleased to annouce’ thatthey were expecting their second child together in ‘early spring’.
In a statement today, Buckingham Palace said: ‘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.’
Athena is the name of the Greek goddess of wisdom, practical skills, and warfare. She was also the protector of the city of Athens.
The name has risen in popularity over the past decade, rising from 802nd most popular name for girls in 1996 to 104th in 2023, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
Edoardo Mapelli posted a tribute to his new daughter on Instagram, sharing a photograph of Athena wrapped in a blanket: ‘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.’
The newest generation of royals that Athena joins includes her cousins Ernest and August Brooksbank, children of her aunt and uncle Eugenie and Jack, who are aged one and almost four respectively.
Other young royals include Prince George, 11, the eventual heir to the throne, his siblings Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, as well as their cousins Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
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