How Princess Beatrice paid tribute to her British and Greek ancestry via her new baby's name
When Buckingham Palace shared a photo of its newest member, the significance of the baby's name was revealed to have links not only to the British royal family but also the House of Windsor's Greek ancestry.
Princess Beatrice gave birth to a daughter, Athena, on January 22 – arriving several weeks prematurely.
She is the second daughter for Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who described Athena as "tiny and absolutely perfect".
READ MORE: Palace congratulates Princess Beatrice on baby's early arrival
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi welcomed daughter Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi on January 22, 2025. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Athena is now 11th in line to the throne, pushing her aunty, Princess Eugenie, down to 12th place.
The baby is also a new granddaughter for Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York, who said she was "overflowing with love and joy".
Princess Beatrice and Edo are parents to daughter Sienna, three, and Beatrice has a stepson, eight-year-old Wolfie, from Mapelli Mozzi's previous relationship.
Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mozzi and Christopher Wolf at Sandringham on Christmas Day in December. AP
The baby was born at Chelsea and Westminster hospital in London, weighing just four pounds and five ounces (approximately 1.95 kilograms).
Mother and her daughter were said to be "doing well". A palace spokesman said King Charles, Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family "have all been informed and are delighted with the news".
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The baby's full name was revealed as Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi.
The name 'Athena' has its origins in Greek mythology as the daughter of Zeus, a goddess of wisdom and war.
The baby's name has links to Beatrice's grandparents and the British and Greek royal families. Tim Graham/Getty Images
The name, Athena, is likely a tribute to the British royal family's Greek ancestry.
Beatrice's grandfather Prince Philip was born in Corfu in 1921 into the Greek royal family, to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and to Princess Alice of Battenberg.
And she is not the first royal to share the name.
Lady Kitty Spencer, niece of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, named her daughter Athena in 2024.
Lady Kitty Spencer's daughter is also named Athena. Instagram/@kitty.spencer
The Danish royal family – which is also related to the Greek and British royal families – also has an Athena.
King Frederik's younger brother Prince Joachim named his daughter Athena following her birth in 2012.
Countess Athena, whose mother is Princess Marie and older brother Count Nikolai, celebrated her 13th birthday earlier this month.
Denmark's royal family also has an Athena - Countess Athena of Monpezat. H.K.H. Prinsesse Marie, Kongehuset
The photo shared by Beatrice and Edo revealed another touching nod to the Greek royal family.
Little Athena was wrapped in a pink cashmere blanket by luxury British brand Marie-Chantal, founded by Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece.
READ MORE: Duchess of York reacts to becoming a grandmother again
The Greek royal, 56, established the babies and children's clothing brand in 2000, inspired by "classic and timeless designs". It has quickly become a favourite among new parents and those wanting a touch of royalty in their child's wardrobe.
Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, and their five children. Beatrice's baby was wrapped in a blanket by Marie-Chantal's children's clothing brand. Getty
Retailing for $315, the blanket is from the brand's iconic 'Angel Wing' collection.
In 2023, the brand released a special commemorative line celebrating the coronation of King Charles III.
Princess Charlotte, the daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales, wore a printed dress by the label in 2019 when she was photographed playing soccer with Prince George.
The British royal family line of succession. 9Honey/Tara Blancato
Princess Marie-Chantal is married to Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, whose father was King Constantine II, the last ruler of Greece before the monarchy was abolished in 1973. The Greek royals have now had their citizenship reinstated after a lengthy battle.
The late King Constantine was a cousin of King Charles through Prince Philip. He was also godfather to Prince William.
Princess Beatrice also honoured her late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022, when naming Athena.
The baby's middle name is Elizabeth which she also shares with older sister Sienna.
Her third name, Rose, could be a link to Beatrice's family's title, York. The House of York, which feuded with the House of Lancaster in the War of the Roses, was represented by the White Rose symbol.
The Wars of the Roses ended when Henry VII married Elizabeth of York, symbolically uniting the white and red roses creating the Tudor rose, containing both the White Rose of York and the Red Rose of Lancaster.
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