Princess Beatrice’s daughter, Athena, born prematurely on January 22, has a rare trait setting her apart in the royal family. Weighing 4lb 5oz, her birth was announced on January 29, with Buckingham Palace confirming The King and Queen’s delight.

Beatrice’s latest update

Months after her daughter’s birth, Beatrice has opened up about the challenges of having a premature baby, admitting that “nothing quite prepares you for the moment.”

“There’s so little control,” she wrote in an essay published in Vogue on Sunday (March 23). “Will she arrive healthy? Will there be complications? How will you juggle the rest of family life while trying to keep a tiny human safe and well?”

Reflecting on the experience, Beatrice continued, *”You know that when your baby arrives the doctors and midwives are going to be there, doing everything they can to ensure she makes it through those challenging first few days.

“But you have no idea how these things will play out, what happens next. The uncertainty leaves you with an overwhelming fear of the unknown.”*

Despite the difficulties, she expressed gratitude for what she has learned.

“Understanding so much more about our remarkable human bodies, but also, more than anything, what we don’t know,” Beatrice shared.

“For a long time, women’s health hasn’t been given the attention it deserves.

“You can try and plan as much as possible with pregnancy, but sometimes your body – or your baby – has other ideas, which in some cases can lead to a preterm birth.

“Thankfully, with ever-evolving technology in the hands of knowledgeable doctors, midwives, and nurses, more progress is being made every day towards understanding the unique complications that can accompany a preterm pregnancy.”

Athena’s unique trait

Although baby Athena is just over three months old, she has already made history with a unique distinction never seen before in the royal family.