Andrew attends palace christening of Princess Beatrice’s daughter

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By Hannah Furness

December 13, 2025 — 10.14am

London: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, have attended the christening of Princess Beatrice’s daughter – the former prince’s granddaughter – at St James’s Palace in London.

Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi was christened at a private service for close family and friends on Thursday.

A Range Rover carrying Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrives at St James’ Palace on Friday.

She was born on January 22, several weeks premature, and bears the name of her great-grandmother, Elizabeth II.

She is the second child of Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and younger sister to Sienna. Mapelli Mozzi also has a son, Wolfie, to whom Princess Beatrice is stepmother.

Andrew, the former Duke of York, arrived by himself in a Range Rover at a side entrance to the palace grounds about 10.45am on Friday. Ferguson arrived separately.

Mountbatten-Windsor and former wife Sarah Ferguson in 2024.

Guests at the christening included Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, singer James Blunt, who is a friend of Princess Beatrice, and European royalty such as Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark.

The christening is the first time the former prince and his ex-wife are known to have been invited into a palace since he lost his titles.

Andrew had his birthright title as a prince removed by King Charles, his brother, because of his “serious lapses of judgment” over his association with the late child abuser Jeffrey Epstein.

Ferguson also lost her courtesy royal divorcee title and has reverted to her maiden name.

Mountbatten-Windsor was photographed riding privately in Windsor Great Park last month, but this is the first royal event he has attended since the funeral of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral in September.

Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi was born on January 22 to Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Buckingham Palace has always been clear that he remains welcome at family occasions, although he will not be seen at Sandringham for their walk to church on Christmas Day.

Princess Beatrice has recently spoken about the challenges she faced after Athena was born prematurely.

She told The Borne Podcast: “I think so often, especially as mums, we spend our lives, you know, feeling we have to be perfect to do this.

“And sometimes, when you are faced with that moment of learning that your baby’s going to come a bit early, it can be incredibly lonely.

Princess Beatrice, stepson Christopher Woolf and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at Westminster Abbey in 2023.

“Even now, talking to some of the mums who know about my work with Borne, they feel this sense of life-changing relief that can come with knowing that there is an organisation there that is supporting the research and supporting the questions, and asking some of these important questions.”

Announcing the birth of Athena in January, Mapelli Mozzi wrote on Instagram: “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.”

Ferguson, the baby’s maternal grandmother, said Athena was “already so adored”, calling the family “my little five-a-side team”.

Telegraph, London