Topics: Celebrity, Parenting, Pregnancy, Royal Family, UK News, Princess Beatrice
The royal family have just welcomed their latest addition as Princess Beatrice has welcomed her second child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
The couple announced the happy news just yesterday (29 January) with a photograph of the newborn, who was born several weeks premature, wearing a long-sleeved baby sleepsuit and wrapped in a pink blanket.
Following the birth, which took place last week, Buckingham Palace revealed details surrounding the birth, also sharing the name of the latest addition to Beatrice and Edoardo's family.
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The statement reads: "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 January 22 at 12.57pm, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. The baby was born weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces.
"Their Majesties The King and Queen and other members of the royal family have all been informed and are delighted with the news."
Athena's weight indicates that she was born early, weighing the equivalent of two and a half bags of sugar. At 37 weeks pregnant - which is considered full term - the NHS explains that the average baby weighs between three and four kilograms (up to 8.8lb).
While the announcement clearly came as a shock as the princess was due to give birth in the early spring, both mum and baby are now said to be at home and recovering well.
Despite only been born a little over a week ago, little Athena has already officially made history with a very unique trait never seen before in the royal family.
The newborn was born in the year of 2025, which makes her the first member of the royal family to be part of Generation Beta - or Gen Beta for short.
The latest generation of babies will be born between 2025 and 2039 and could end up being the first generation to live into the 22nd century, with one expert even calling them the 'dawn of a new era'.
In a fairly recent blog post, demographer and consultant Mark McCrindle explained that the upcoming generation will 'grow up in a world shaped by breakthroughs in technology, evolving social norms, and an increasing focus on sustainability and global citizenship'.
He also shared his thoughts on what the likely key traits of Gen Beta will end up being.
The expert continued: "Generation Beta will also inherit a world grappling with major societal challenges. With climate change, global population shifts, and rapid urbanisation at the forefront, sustainability will not just be a preference but an expectation.
"This generation will be raised by Millennial and older Gen Z parents, many of whom prioritise adaptability, equality, and eco-consciousness in their parenting."
Due to this, Gen Beta will allegedly be 'more globally minded, community-focused, and collaborative than ever before' as their upbringing will 'emphasise the importance of innovation not just for convenience, but for solving the pressing challenges of their time'.
Unlikes their predecessors, social connection will look totally different for Gen Beta - something many people may be quite sad over.
"Born into a world of always-on technology, they will navigate friendships, education, and careers in an era where digital interaction is the default," McCrindle adds.
"However, curating their own digital identities with safety and wisdom (driven by their parents) will be a priority, as will helping them foster a strong sense of individuality - both in online and offline environments."
Because of this, McCrindle predicts that this latest generation will 'embody the balance between hyper-connectivity and personal expression', adding: "They’ll redefine what it means to belong, blending in-person relationships with global digital communities."
