ROYAL BABY

Eleonore von Habsburg secretly welcomes third child and reveals baby’s unexpected name one month later


Eleonore is the daughter of Karl von Habsburg, head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine


Eleonore von Habsburg secretly welcomes third child and reveals baby’s unexpected name one month later© Luc Castel
Daniel NeiraSenior Writer
UPDATED AUGUST 6, 2026 1:09 PM EDT

Eleonore von Habsburg has quietly expanded her family. The 32-year-old jewelry designer and descendant of Austria's last imperial family has welcomed her third child with husband Jérôme d'Ambrosio, a baby girl named Cosima.

In keeping with the couple's famously private approach to family life, Eleonore waited an entire month before publicly announcing the arrival. She shared the happy news on Tuesday, August 4, revealing that her daughter had been born on July 4, 2026.

Eleonore von Habsburg and Jerome d'Ambrosio have welcomed their third child, a baby girl named Cosima.© Dave Benett
Eleonore von Habsburg and Jerome d'Ambrosio have welcomed their third child, a baby girl named Cosima.

Rather than making a traditional birth announcement, Eleonore shared the news through a subtle series of images on Instagram.

The first showed a peaceful mountain landscape accompanied simply by the Roman numerals "IV.VII.MMXXVI," marking Cosima's July 4 birth date.

Eleonore von Habsburg shares a sweet moment with one of her children by the water. The mom of three has largely kept her children out of the public spotlight.© Eleonore von Habsburg/IG
Eleonore von Habsburg shares a sweet moment with one of her children by the water. The mom of three has largely kept her children out of the public spotlight.

A black-and-white close-up of the newborn's tiny hands offered a first glimpse of the newest member of the family, while another slide revealed her name, Cosima.

The little girl joins Eleonore and Jérôme's two older children, son Otto, born in 2021, and daughter Zita, born in 2024.

A surprising break from their previous name choices

Cosima's name stands out from those chosen for her older siblings.

One of Eleonore and Jérôme’s children takes in the action at the Monaco Grand Prix, a fitting family moment given Jérôme’s longtime career in motorsport.© Eleonore von Habsburg/IG
One of Eleonore and Jérôme’s children takes in the action at the Monaco Grand Prix, a fitting family moment given Jérôme’s longtime career in motorsport.

Eleonore and Jérôme gave their first son the name Otto, a name with a particularly significant connection to the Habsburg family. 

Eleonore's grandfather was Otto von Habsburg, the eldest son of Austria's last emperor, Charles I, and Empress Zita.

Otto von Habsburg, Eleonore's grandfather and the eldest son of Austria's last emperor, Charles I, pictured with Princess Regina of Saxe-Meiningen ahead of their wedding in 1951. Eleonore gave her first son the name Otto.   © -
Otto von Habsburg, Eleonore's grandfather and the eldest son of Austria's last emperor, Charles I, pictured with Princess Regina of Saxe-Meiningen ahead of their wedding in 1951. Eleonore gave her first son the name Otto.

Their second child's name continued the family connection. Zita shares her name with Eleonore's great-grandmother, Empress Zita of Bourbon-Parma, the last Empress of Austria.

Cosima, however, does not have the same immediately apparent connection to Eleonore's Habsburg ancestors, making the couple's latest choice a departure from the pattern established with their first two children.

The parents have not publicly explained the inspiration behind the name.

Eleonore's connection to Austria's last imperial family

Eleonore is the daughter of Karl von Habsburg, head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, and art collector Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza. Through her father, Eleonore is the great-granddaughter of Charles I and Zita, Austria's final emperor and empress.

Eleonore von Habsburg pictured as a newborn with her parents, Karl von Habsburg and Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza, during her official presentation in Salzburg in March 1994. More than three decades later, Eleonore is now a mom of three.© Stephane Cardinale - Corbis
Eleonore von Habsburg pictured as a newborn with her parents, Karl von Habsburg and Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza, during her official presentation in Salzburg in March 1994. More than three decades later, Eleonore is now a mom of three.

The Habsburg dynasty was one of Europe's most powerful ruling families for centuries, with members reigning across large parts of the continent and holding the Holy Roman imperial crown for generations.

That era came to an end following World War I and the collapse of Austria-Hungary in 1918. The newly established Austrian republic formally abolished nobility and associated titles and privileges in 1919.

Eleonore von Habsburg and Jérôme d’Ambrosio pose with family members and Monaco officials following their civil wedding in July 2020.© Luc Castel
Eleonore von Habsburg and Jérôme d’Ambrosio pose with family members and Monaco officials following their civil wedding in July 2020.

Today, descendants of the dynasty have no official royal duties, although members of the Habsburg family remain prominent in European public and cultural life.

A private family life

Eleonore married former racing driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio in Monaco in July 2020. Their civil ceremony was an intimate affair held during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jérôme d’Ambrosio enjoys a quiet beach day with one of his children. He and Eleonore have now expanded their family with the arrival of baby Cosima.© Eleonore von Habsburg/IG
Jérôme d’Ambrosio enjoys a quiet beach day with one of his children. He and Eleonore have now expanded their family with the arrival of baby Cosima.

The couple welcomed Otto the following year and have largely kept their children away from the public spotlight.

Jérôme, who previously competed in Formula One and Formula E, has since moved into senior motorsport management and currently serves as Ferrari's deputy team principal and head of its Driver Academy.

Eleonore, meanwhile, has built a career spanning jewelry, fashion and design.

Eleonore von Habsburg and Jérôme d’Ambrosio were surrounded by family at their intimate civil wedding in Monaco on July 20, 2020.© Luc Castel
Eleonore von Habsburg and Jérôme d’Ambrosio were surrounded by family at their intimate civil wedding in Monaco on July 20, 2020.

Despite her connection to one of Europe's most famous dynasties, Eleonore has maintained a notably low-profile family life.

Cosima's discreet arrival appears to continue that tradition, with the parents enjoying their first month with their newborn before sharing the news publicly.

Eleonore von Habsburg and Jérôme d’Ambrosio smile for a portrait on their wedding day in Monaco. The couple tied the knot in an intimate civil ceremony in 2020.© Luc Castel
Eleonore is the daughter of Karl von Habsburg, head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, and art collector Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza.