Princess Beatrice ‘may have extended olive branch to Harry and Meghan’ after birth of Athena, expert says

Princess Beatrice ‘may have reached out to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’ after the birth of her second daughter Athena last month, an expert has claimed.

Beatrice and her sister Eugenie, the daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, are thought to have remained close to Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, since they departed royal life in 2020.

It was recently reported by the New York Post that Beatrice is the only royal able to ‘initiate peace’ between Harry and his brother Prince William after a years-long feud. 

A former Buckingham Palace staff member claimed that Beatrice has ‘spoken to the two brothers to try to improve the situation’.

It is perhaps no surprise, therefore, that royal experts believe she may have extended an olive branch to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan after the birth of her daughter Athena.

Jennie Bond, the former BBC royal correspondent, said Beatrice may have ‘pinged a picture of two [of Athena] to Harry and Meghan’ after the birth.

She told The Mirror: ‘I don’t think it will hasten a visit by them to the UK, but perhaps if charity work or business brings Harry this way he’ll be keen to meet his new cousin.

Princess Beatrice gave birth to a daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose, last month

‘This was lovely news. After the brutality of last year for so many of the royal family, 2025 is looking altogether brighter. It must have been rather alarming to have such a premature and tiny baby. I think the hospital has to be commended for keeping the birth completely confidential for a week.’

The King’s niece, 36, welcomed her second daughter with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi last week.

Athena Elizabeth Rose becomes 11th in line to the throne, pushing her aunt Princess Eugenie down to 12th place.

She is the third child in the Mapelli Mozzi brood alongside Beatrice’s three-year-old daughter Sienna, and Wolfie, eight, from Edo’s first marriage to Dara Huang. Princess Beatrice often describes Wolfie as her ‘bonus’ child. 

In a sweet Instagram post, Buckingham Palace wrote: ‘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 12:57pm.

It was recently reported by the New York Post that Beatrice is the only royal able to ‘initiate peace’ between Harry and his brother Prince William after a years-long feud

‘The baby was born weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces.

‘The King and Queen, and other members of The Royal Family, have all been informed and are delighted with the news.

‘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.’

Jennie Bond, the former BBC royal correspondent, said Beatrice may have ‘pinged a picture of two [of Athena] to Harry and Meghan’ after the birth

Athena is the fourth grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York. Their others include Princess Eugenie’s sons August, three, and Ernest, one, whom she shares with her husband Jack Brooksbank.

Jennie Bond thinks the birth of Athena may have been particularly welcome news to Prince Andrew.

She said: ‘I I think family has become ever more important for the beleaguered Prince Andrew, and perhaps one of his main roles in life these days is to be a doting grandad.’