Princess Beatrice is seen for the first time since giving birth to daughter Athena as she and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi attend gala

Princess Beatrice has stepped out for the first time since giving birth to her second daughter Athena.

The King’s niece, 36, who welcomed the newest addition to her family in January, looked ethereal as she joined her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at The V&A in London, this evening.

Beatrice and Edo, 41, attended Borne’s Wonderland gala to mark the royal’s newly announced patronage of the prematurity research charity.  

Dedicated to ending premature birth, Borne funds research to advance knowledge of pregnancy and childbirth and aims to improve the lives of mothers and babies and prevent preterm birth.

Beatrice has likely adopted the position after the birth of her newborn daughter Athena Elizabeth Rose, who arrived several weeks premature.

She is the third child in the Mapelli Mozzi brood alongside Beatrice’s three-year-old daughter Sienna, and Wolfie, eight, from Edo’s relationship with Dara Huang. Princess Beatrice often describes Wolfie as her ‘bonus’ child.

The Duke and Duchess of York’s daughter put on an elegant display as she stepped out this evening, dressed in an-all cream ensemble.

Photographed arm-in-arm with her husband, the late Queen’s granddaughter teamed a fashionable silk skirt with a chic long sleeved blazer, featuring button and bow detailing. 

The royal teamed her stylish outfit with a pair of beige heels while carrying a cream clutch bag to complement her ensemble.

With her hair styled in soft curls, Beatrice opted for a glamorous makeup look, completed with bright blush and pink lipstick.

Her husband looked equally sophisticated in a black tie outfit as he posed up a storm with his glamorous wife.  

The King’s niece welcomed her second daughter with her husband Edoardo in January. 

Sources told the Mail that Athena ‘was a little early, but not unexpectedly so’. It is believed doctors had warned a premature arrival was a possibility.

Athena Elizabeth Rose becomes 11th in line to the throne, pushing her aunt Princess Eugenie down to 12th place.

In a sweet Instagram post, Buckingham Palace wrote: ‘Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, born on Wednesday, 22nd January, at 12:57pm. The baby was born weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces. 

The King and Queen, and other members of The Royal Family, have all been informed and are delighted with the news.

‘Princess Beatrice and Mr Mapelli Mozzi would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care.

‘Her Royal Highness and her daughter are healthy and doing well, and the family are enjoying spending time together with Athena’s older siblings, Wolfie and Sienna.’

Athena is the fourth grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York. Their others include Princess Eugenie’s sons August, three, and Ernest, one, whom she shares with her husband Jack Brooksbank.

Edo also posted on Instagram to reveal his new daughter was ‘tiny and absolutely perfect’.

He shared a photograph of Athena wrapped in a blanket, with the caption: ‘Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi.

‘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.’

Reposting the baby announcement on her Instagram story, Athena’s aunt Princess Eugenie wrote ‘welcome baby girl’.

Her grandmother, Sarah Ferguson, wrote: ‘Overflowing with love and joy to be able to welcome Athena Elizabeth Rose into the world. She is already so adored and I’m incredibly blessed to be a Granny once again. So proud of Edo, Beatrice and the rest of my little 5-a-side team!’ 

Athena Elizabeth’s middle name is no doubt a sweet tribute to Beatrice’s late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. 

Prior to her daughter’s birth, Beatrice’s last public appearance was on Christmas Day in Sandringham, where she joined the Royal Family for their annual trip to St Mary Magdalene Church.

Looking effortlessly elegant, she accompanied other royals, such as King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales for the occasion. She was accompanied by her husband Edo and Wolfie. 

Beatrice wore a tan coat from the Net-a-Porter for The King’s Foundation collection. The coat was designed by students from the Foundation’s Modern Artisan programme, run in collaboration with Net-a-Porter.

The daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson completed her look with a black dress, finishing her outfit with a pair of black knee-high boots.

Wolfie looked dapper in a grey jacket and navy trousers, while Edoardo embraced the festive spirit with a forest green tie.

Beatrice’s appearance at Sandringham came following medical advice not to travel abroad at the late stage of her pregnancy – which halted her plans to fly to Italy and spend the festive period with her property tycoon husband’s family.

Days before Christmas, Buckingham Palace announced that the Princess had changed her festive plans following medical advice that she should not travel for ‘long distances’.

At the time, Dr Ellie Cannon, Mail on Sunday columnist and GP, said: ‘There are a whole host of reasons why somebody in their third trimester may not be able to fly.

‘Different acute issues might be something common such as a chest infection or even a viral illness, which can be quite serious in pregnancy. Flying can make this worse because of dehydration and sitting still for hours which can also raise the risk of blood clots.

‘More long-term issues could be high blood pressure or diabetes. Travelling long distance can be dangerous in this scenario because of the ongoing monitoring needed.’

Buckingham Palace announced Beatrice’s pregnancy on October 1, 2024. In a statement, the 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.

‘His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news.’

Two new pictures from the family were shared to mark the announcement, with one showing blonde-haired Sienna from behind as she walks along a country lane, holding hands in the middle of her father and big brother Wolfie.

The youngster, with a red bow in her hair, was kitted out in bright yellow wellies and an all-in-one blue waterproof puddlesuit decorated with cloud and bird motifs.

In another picture, an overjoyed Beatrice – wearing a black puffer jacket – smiled at the camera, while being embraced by Mr Mapelli Mozzi, who gazed at his wife.

Royal relatives were quick to express their joy at the news another arrival would soon be on the way, with Beatrice’s mother Sarah Ferguson posting on Instagram to declare her pride.

Posting a snap of herself with Beatrice and granddaughter Sienna, Fergie wrote: ‘A very proud GiGi/Mum today. Such an incredible blessing and an embrace to my heart.’