Sarah Ferguson is overjoyed to welcome another grandchild following the birth of Princess Beatrice’s daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi.
Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, welcomed their baby girl on January 22, and on January 29, Sarah took to Instagram to express her excitement over her growing family.
“Overflowing with love and joy to be able to welcome Athena Elizabeth Rose into the world. She is already so adored, and I’m incredibly blessed to be a Granny once again,” she wrote. “So proud of Edo, Beatrice, and the rest of my little five-a-side team!”
The Duchess of York, 65, lovingly refers to her five grandchildren as her “five-a-side” team—a nickname she first mentioned when Beatrice announced her pregnancy in October. Sarah is already a proud grandmother to Beatrice’s daughter, Sienna, 3, and stepson Christopher Woolf, as well as Princess Eugenie’s children, August, 3, and Ernest, 1, whom Eugenie shares with husband Jack Brooksbank.
Edoardo confirmed the affectionate nickname in the comments, calling Sarah “The best Gigi,” alongside a pink heart emoji.
Sarah has fully embraced her role as a grandmother, describing it as one of her greatest joys. Speaking to People, she shared: “They just follow me around like Peter Pan. I’m ‘Super Gran Pan.’ Whenever they see me, they laugh. They think I’m very funny. August is teaching me about trains—my girls had Barbie dolls!”
She also joked about how easily she relates to young children: “Everyone asks, ‘Has it changed your life?’ And I say, ‘No, because I already live in the mindset of 3- to 6-year-olds.’ Now, I just have a new audience that likes me!”
Buckingham Palace’s Official Announcement
Buckingham Palace officially announced Athena’s birth on January 29, sharing a statement on X: “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, 22nd January, at 12:57 pm. The baby was born weighing four pounds and five ounces.”
The statement also confirmed that “The King and Queen, and other members of The Royal Family have all been informed and are delighted with the news.”
It concluded: “Princess Beatrice and Mr. Mapelli Mozzi would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care. Her Royal Highness and her daughter are healthy and doing well, and the family are enjoying spending time together with Athena’s older siblings, Wolfie and Sienna.”
