Princess Beatrice has become the new Patron of Bourne, a charity that is dedicated ending premature birth and funds research into the causes of premature births in the UK and across the world.
The Princess gave birth to her second daughter, Athena, several weeks early at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on 22nd January. Athena’s birth was announced one week later via Buckingham Palace, which issued a statement. Her father, Edo, also shared his announcement on his social media pages, stating that she was ‘absolutely perfect’ and weighed 4 pounds 5 ounces at the time of her birth. Beatrice’s appointment underscores her commitment to ending premature birth globally.
The first photo of Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi. (Buckingham Palace)
To mark the Princess’ newly announced patronage of the prematurity research charity, Beatrice, accompanied by her husband, made her first public appearance since giving birth at the charity’s Wonderland Gala at the Victoria and Albert Museum on 6th March.
Speaking about her new tole, The Princess said: ‘The work that Borne is undertaking is something that is incredibly close and personal to me following the recent birth of my daughter.’
‘Every year in the UK, 60,000 babies are delivered too soon, with little information or research as to why this is. That is why I am really looking forward to supporting Borne and its programme of groundbreaking research, which I hope will help thousands of parents and children in the future.’
Professor Mark Johnson, founder of Borne, said: ‘We are immensely grateful to Her Royal Highness for her dedication to our mission. Her support will be instrumental in raising awareness and driving the vital research needed to prevent premature birth.’
Borne Chair of Trustees, Julian Mylchreest, added: ‘We are deeply honoured to have Princess Beatrice as our Patron and we look forward to working together. Her passion and commitment will be invaluable as we amplify our efforts, fund the best researchers in the field nationally and globally and work tirelessly to find out why babies are born too soon.’
Beatrice will now join a number of Borne patrons, including Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Erin O’Connor MBE – all share a personal connection to the cause having given birth prematurely.
