Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Parenting, Royal Family, UK News, Princess Beatrice
Rhianna Benson
After Princess Beatrice broke her silence following the premature birth of her second child - a daughter, Athena - fans have been reminded of a never-before-seen trait that makes the tot a rather unique member of the royal family.
For those in need of a reminder, 36-year-old Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi announced the arrival of their 4lb 5oz newborn on 29 January, revealing she'd been born premature on the 22nd.
Buckingham Palace also confirmed the news at the time, revealing the child's full name is Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, that she was born 12.57pm at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, and that The King and Queen 'are delighted' for the couple.
Months on from her daughter's birth, Beatrice has opened up about the realities of a premature arrival, claiming 'nothing quite prepares you for the moment'.
"There’s so little control," she penned in an essay published in Vogue on Sunday (23 March). "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?"
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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."
She added, however, that she's grateful to have learned a lot through her experience.
"Understanding so much more about our remarkable human bodies, but also, more than anything, what we don’t know," Beatrice said.
"In many ways, for the longest time, women’s health has been left off the agenda.
"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."
Despite only having been born a little over a quarter-of-a-year ago, baby 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 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 would 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'.
Unlike their predecessors, social connection is said to 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 added.
"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."