Princess Beatrice is celebrating a special milestone as her daughter Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi turns 1 on Jan. 22.
Athena is the youngest child of Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and she was born prematurely in 2025, several weeks earlier than her expected due date.
Buckingham Palace had originally announced that the baby was due in early spring, but Athena arrived sooner than expected, something Beatrice later reflected on in a rare personal essay.
In the essay, Beatrice described the uncertainty and fear that comes with welcoming a premature baby, writing about the emotional challenges and the lack of control parents feel in such moments.
She shared that Athena arrived healthy despite being tiny, and it took weeks for the family to fully process the relief and reality of life with their newborn.
Following Athena's birth, Beatrice thanked her medical team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and became a patron of Borne, a British medical research charity focused on preventing premature birth.
The couple made their first major public appearance after Athena's birth at Borne's Wonderland Gala, and later visited the charity's research laboratories to support its work.
Athena's middle name, Elizabeth, honors the late Queen Elizabeth II, continuing a family naming tradition and tribute.
Beatrice and Edoardo are also parents to daughter Sienna and Edoardo's son Christopher from a previous relationship, making Athena's arrival a special moment for their blended family of five.
The family made a rare public appearance together at the London homecoming parade celebrating England's women's national football team, which marked Athena's first public outing.
Athena was christened in a private ceremony at the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace in December, attended quietly by her grandparents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
As Athena celebrates her first birthday, the royal family marks a joyful milestone following a year that began with uncertainty but ended with happiness and growing family memories.