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Buckingham Palace Unveils Royal Birth Announcement & Baby Photo—But I Noticed Something Surprising About the Pic

Welcome, Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi

king charles
Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

In another sign that this year is set to be better than last for the royal family, today, Buckingham Palace shared some wonderful baby news.

Princess Beatrice, 36, and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 41, just welcomed a newborn baby girl—and Buckingham Palace was first to share the good news (and the photo).

Today, King Charles's official Instagram account shared the announcement with a caption that read, "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 statement continued, "The baby was born weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces."

"Princess Beatrice and Mr Mapelli Mozzi would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care."

They also gave an update on the royal parents and their kids: "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."

Along with the birth announcement, there was obviously an adorable photo of Athena (whose middle name is clearly paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth). But one strange thing I noticed about the pic? It was uncharacteristically unkempt and "real" for a royal photo. Things are usually much more staged and professionally shot, making this a refreshing look at the royal newborn.

A potential reason for the more candid nature of the image? It was taken by the father, Mozzi, himself.

Princess Beatrice and her husband announced the pregnancy news back in early October. On social media, Buckingham Palace wrote at the time, "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 and Sienna."

princess beatrice
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

As mentioned in both captions, the couple are already parents and Athena is their second child together. Their family also includes Wolfie—Mozzi's son from a previous relationship—and Sienna.

Congrats to the happy family!

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