Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Royal News

Princess Beatrice opens up about daughter’s premature birth: 'I felt incredibly alone'


Beatrice has opened up about baby Athena's early days


Princess Beatrice opens up about daughter’s premature birth: 'I felt incredibly alone'© Getty Images for Ralph Lauren
Maria LoretoSenior Writer
NOVEMBER 18, 2025 4:30 PM EST

Beatrice of York wants to ensure no woman goes through what she experienced a few months ago. Earlier this year, Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi welcomed their second daughter. The birth was high-risk and premature, leaving the mother feeling overwhelmed with a sense of loneliness and helplessness. In a recent interview and her first statements since her parents lost their royal titles due to their ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Beatrice shared just how unprepared she was for her daughter's premature birth. 

Princess Beatrice and her mother Sarah Ferguson, at this year's Wimbledon© Getty Images
Princess Beatrice and her mother Sarah Ferguson, at this year's Wimbledon

Princess Beatrice was featured on The Borne Podcast, where she opened up about her daughter's birth in detail and the sense of alienation she felt with the world. “I think so often, especially as mums, we spend our lives, you know, feeling we have to be perfect to do this,” she said. 

The Borne Organization is dedicated to conducting research and work to meet the needs of premature babies. “And sometimes, when you are faced with that moment of learning that your baby’s going to come a bit early, it can be incredibly lonely," she continued. 

Baby Athena was expected to be born in the Spring. Instead, she was born on January 22nd, six or seven weeks ahead of her original schedule, weighing less than four and a half pounds. Despite the early challenges, Athena has recovered and is doing well, as confirmed by Beatrice on previous occasions. She's made it her mission for governments to invest more resources into this field.

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice of York © Samir Hussein/WireImage
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice of York

"And even now, talking to some of the mums who know about my work with Borne, they feel this sense of … life-changing relief that can come with knowing that there is an organisation there that is supporting the research and supporting the questions, and asking some of these important questions.” 

Beatrice's work for mothers and premature births in the country

Princess Beatrice of York and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi arrive to attend the Easter Sunday church service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on 20th April 2025 in Windsor, United Kingdom. Easter Sunday is the focal point of the Royal Family's Easter celebrations. (photo by Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)© In Pictures via Getty Images,Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images
Princess Beatrice of York and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi 5th wedding anniversary

Over the past year, Beatrice has worked with Borne and spoken to different women who've gone through similar experiences as her. She's also visited the NGO's laboratories at London's Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, showing her commitment to the cause.

Beatrice shares that people are doing important work today in the field of premature births, ensuring that families have all the information they need. These people "are there to make sure no pregnant woman feels alone during such a traumatic moment, supporting them with excellent tools and putting every possible resource at their disposal." 

When speaking about motherhood and the personal connections that she's formed with others going through some of the same experiences that Beatrice has lived through, she claims she loves it, with their bond serving as “a secret club for sharing stories” where “we can learn from one another.”

Princess Beatrice opens up about daughter’s premature birth: 'I felt incredibly alone'© Getty Images for Ralph Lauren
This is the Princess' first public statement since her parents lost their titles

© ¡HOLA! Reproduction of this article and its photographs in whole or in part is prohibited, even when citing their source.