Beatrice Makes First Public Outing Since Andrew’s Title Loss for a Cause Close to Her Heart
While her father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, remains under scrutiny, Princess Beatrice has chosen quiet purpose over palace noise. The 37-year-old recently visited the Borne research laboratories at Chelsea and Westminster, marking her first official outing since the disgraced royal’s title removal. It was more than just a photo opportunity and carried personal meaning for the Princess. In January of this year, Beatrice gave birth to her daughter, Athena, prematurely in the same hospital. Joined by Good Morning Britain presenter Laura Tobin, she met scientists researching how to prevent early births, a cause close to her, given her own experience as a mother.
In a statement coinciding with her visit, Beatrice described the charity as “incredibly close and personal to me following the early arrival of my second daughter.” Her daughter weighed just 4 lb 5 oz when she was born, with the Princess recalling that she was “so tiny it took more than a few weeks for the tears of relief to dry.” Talking positively about the wonderful work Borne is doing, she noted, “Today’s visit was not only insightful but has given me so much hope for pregnant mothers in the UK that this topic is being taken incredibly seriously.” The royal was made the patron of Borne shortly after Athena was born.
"I am so grateful for the scientists and clinicians who took the time today to show me the advances they are making to reduce the risks to expectant mums and babies,” Beatrice applauded. Tobin, who serves as a Borne ambassador, shared the Princess’s sentiment. Her own daughter, Charlotte, was born three months early in 2017, weighing only 2 lb 8 oz. “As a parent who’s experienced the uncertainty of premature birth and how worrying it can be, today’s visit was deeply personal,” she said. Together, the two mothers' voices reflected compassion born of experience and optimism for the future.
Interestingly, just a couple of days earlier, Beatrice was also given a new role. She was appointed the Deputy Royal Patron of Outward Bound, a UK-based charity that helps young individuals to build confidence and resilience through outdoor learning and adventures. The Princess has joined her uncle, Prince Edward, who has been appointed as the Royal Patron of the organization. This role was previously held by Mountbatten Windsor, who succeeded his father, Prince Philip, as patron of the trust in 2019. His tenure lasted only seven months, ending in November 2019 when he stepped down after the backlash from his Newsnight interview.
While Beatrice’s poise at the hospital visit and new role drew admiration, her sister, Princess Eugenie, faces a different challenge. Her charity, The Anti-Slavery Collective, which she co-founded in 2017 to fight human trafficking, continues its work under the cloud of their father’s controversies. PR expert Mayah Riaz told The Mirror, "When a public figure’s family becomes embroiled in controversy, it inevitably casts a shadow over any cause they’re attached to." Yet the expert also believes the moment could strengthen Eugenie's voice. "If handled with authenticity, this could be an opportunity for Princess Eugenie to humanize her leadership,” she opined.