Prince Andrew is seen for the first time since daughter Princess Beatrice gives birth - as delighted mother Sarah Ferguson shares heartwarming message

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Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have been left delighted after their daughter Princess Beatrice welcomed her second child. 

Buckingham Palace announced today that the King's niece, 36, had welcomed a daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose, last week, with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. 

On Saturday the Duke of York, 64, looked elated as he was seen for the first time since Beatrice gave birth on his weekly ride around the Windsor Estate. 

Meanwhile, her mother Sarah Ferguson said she's 'overflowing with joy' following the birth of Athena, who is the former couple's fourth grandchild, and sweetly referred to her '5-a-side team'. 

In a tender Instagram post alongside a picture of the new baby, the grandmother-of-four wrote: '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. So proud of Edo, Beatrice and the rest of my little 5-a-side team!'    

Andrew appeared in very bright spirits as he rode around Great Park at the weekend, joined by a groom who regularly accompanies him on rides - and the reason why has now been revealed. 

As Beatrice is still said to be close to her father, despite his string of scandals, it is likely he would have already known her happy news. 

The prince staved off the cold in a navy riding jacket and thick gloves, with a pair of matching blue jodhpurs and riding boots completing his ensemble. 

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have been left delighted after their daughter Princess Beatrice welcomed her second child - and the Duke looked elated on a ride on Saturday

Andrew was also seen driving from Royal Lodge in Windsor - where he lives with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson - on Saturday, also following Athena's birth last Wednesday. 

Again, he appeared in positive spirits, giving a nod of acknowledgement and waving from the driver's seat.  

Athena Elizabeth becomes 11th in line to the throne as the second child of Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, pushing her aunt Princess Eugenie down to 12th place.

She becomes the third child in the Mapelli Mozzi brood alongside Wolfie, eight, from Edo's first marriage to Dara Huang, and Beatrice's three-year-old daughter Sienna. 

The Duke has been embroiled in a series of scandals over the years, such as his associations with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and, more recently, controversy over his links to an alleged Chinese spy. 

Royal expert Jennie Bond noted previously in Ok! Magazine that his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie have faced an 'extraordinarily difficult' time following the allegations, but that the Yorks remain 'an incredibly close family'.

His latest controversy over his links to an alleged Chinese spy resulted in him staying away from King Charles's traditional pre-Christmas lunch, as well as the festivities at Sandringham on Christmas Day. 

Both Eugenie and Beatrice attended the pre-Christmas lunch on December 19, while Beatrice and her family also joined them on Christmas Day.  

Princess Beatrice has given birth to a daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose, Buckingham Palace has announced

The Duchess of York, 64, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt congratulations following the announcement made by Buckingham Palace earlier today

Prince Andrew and Fergie are delighted at the news of the birth of their fourth grandchild. Pictured with daughters Beatrice and Eugenie

Andrew appeared in very bright spirits as he rode around Great Park at the weekend

On Saturday the Duke of York, 64, was seen on his weekly ride around the Windsor Estate - after Beatrice gave birth

Andrew was also pictured on Saturday driving from Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he lives with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson

Prince Andrew has been seen for the first time since his daughter Princess Beatrice welcomed her second child

Prince Andrew is pictured with his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie in 2016

The York family is still thought to be very close. Beatrice and her father are pictured in 2013

The King's brother appeared pensive as he rode around the Great Park, joined by a groom who regularly accompanies him on rides

The prince staved off the cold in a navy riding jacket and thick gloves, with a pair of matching blue jodhpurs and riding boots completing his ensemble

The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson is already mother to Sienna Elizabeth, three, and stepson Wolfie, eight

Alongside the statement, Beatrice, 36, shared a picture of Edo, Sienna and Wolfie walking in the woods

Princess Beatrice is already mother to Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, three (pictured)

In a sweet Instagram post today, 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.

'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.'

Athena is the fourth grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, following on from Princess Eugenie's children August and Ernest Brooksbank.

Edo, 40, also posting on Instagram, revealed his new daughter was 'tiny and absolutely perfect'. 

He wrote on Instagram sharing a photograph of Athena wrapped in a blanket: 'Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi.

Beatrice, who fondly refers to Wolfie as her 'bonus child', placed a loving hand on the eight-year-old's back

Princess Beatrice, 36, waves at crowds as she arrives at St Mary Magdalene Church accompanied by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and her stepson Christopher Woolf 'Wolfie' Mapelli Mozzi

Reposting the baby announcement on her Instagram story, Princess Eugenie wrote 'welcome baby girl' to her new niece

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Athena's father posted a gushing announcement of his daughter's birth and said the family was 'overflowing with love' for her

'We welcomed baby Athena into our lives last week. She is tiny and absolutely perfect.

'We are all (including Wolfie and Sienna) already completely besotted with her.

'Our hearts are overflowing with love for you, baby Athena.

'A massive thank you from my wife and I goes out to all the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their exceptional care and support during this incredibly special time.'

Reposting the baby announcement on her Instagram story, Athena's aunt Princess Eugenie wrote 'welcome baby girl'. 

Sources told the Mail last night that Athena ‘was a little early, but not unexpectedly so’. It is believed doctors had warned a premature arrival was a possibility. 

Athena Elizabeth, whose middle name is no doubt a sweet tribute to Beatrice's late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, adds to the Mapelli Mozzi brood which also includes three-year-old Sienna and Edo's son from a previous relationship to Dara Huang, 'Wolfie' - often referred to as Princess Beatrice's 'bonus' child.

The Princess of York's last public appearance was on Christmas Day in Sandringham where she joined the royal family for their annual trip to St Mary Magdalene Church.

Looking effortlessly elegant, the late Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter joined other Royal Family members, such as King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales for the occasion.

Sarah Ferguson took to Instagram to share her congratulations to her daughter Princess Beatrice following the royal's pregnancy announcement in October, sharing a snap of herself with her daughter and granddaughter Sienna 

In another snap shared by the Duchess of York, Beatrice crouched down to speak to her daughter Sienna 

She was accompanied by her husband Edo and Wolfie.

Beatrice wore a tan coat from the Net-a-Porter for The King's Foundation collection. The coat was designed by students from the Foundation's Modern Artisan programme, run in collaboration with Net-a-Porter.  

The daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson completed her look with a black dress, finishing her outfit with a pair of black knee-high boots.

Wolfie looked dapper in a grey jacket and navy trousers, while Edoardo embraced the festive spirit with a forest green tie.

Beatrice's appearance at Sandringham came following medical advice not to travel abroad at the late stage of her pregnancy - which halted her plans to fly to Italy and spend the festive period with her property tycoon husband's family.

Days before Christmas, Buckingham Palace announced that the Princess had changed her festive plans following medical advice that she should not travel for 'long distances'. 

At the time, Dr Ellie Cannon, Mail on Sunday columnist and GP, said: 'There are a whole host of reasons why somebody in their third trimester may not be able to fly.

'Different acute issues might be something common such as a chest infection or even a viral illness, which can be quite serious in pregnancy. Flying can make this worse because of dehydration and sitting still for hours which can also raise the risk of blood clots.

Beatrice is pictured in New York in September at the Youth Impact Council Launch

Wolfie Mapelli Mozzi's mother, Dara Huang, revealed she and her son have celebrated Chinese New Year in their plush Chelsea home this week

 

Posting a snap of her son on his games console on the sofa, Dara joked she may have to change the theme to a 'gaming party'

'More long-term issues could be high blood pressure or diabetes. Travelling long distance can be dangerous in this scenario because of the ongoing monitoring needed.'

Buckingham Palace announced Beatrice's pregnancy on October 1, 2024. In a statement, the palace said: 'Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together in early spring; a sibling for Wolfie, aged eight, and Sienna, aged three.

'His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news.'

Two new pictures from the family were shared to mark the announcement, with one showing blonde-haired Sienna from behind as she walks along a country lane, holding hands in the middle of her father and big brother Wolfie. 

The youngster, with a red bow in her hair, was kitted out in bright yellow wellies and an all-in-one blue waterproof puddlesuit decorated with cloud and bird motifs.

In another picture, an overjoyed Beatrice - wearing a black puffer jacket - smiled at the camera, while being embraced by Mr Mapelli Mozzi, who gazed at his wife.

Royal relatives were quick to express their joy at the news another arrival would soon be on the way, with Beatrice's mother Sarah Ferguson posting on Instagram to declare her pride.

Posting a snap of herself with Beatrice and granddaughter Sienna, Fergie wrote: 'A very proud GiGi/Mum today. Such an incredible blessing and an embrace to my heart.'

The arrival marks a double celebration for her half-brother Wolfie, who has been celebrating Chinese New Year with his mother, high-powered interior designer Dara Huang, at their home in Chelsea this week.

Posting on Instagram four days ago, Dara showed how she had kitted out her home with festive celebrations to mark the occasion for 'Wolfie's Chinese New Year's party'.

Featuring a snap of her eight-year-old son on his games console on the sofa, she joked she would have to turn the shebang into a 'gaming party'. 

'As long as everybody is dressed in Asian clothes and eating cultural food, I'm happy,' Dara joked.