---

Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, recently stepped out in London to host a significant event for Borne, the medical research charity dedicated to preventing premature birth, a cause that has become "incredibly close and personal" to the Princess following the early arrival of her second daughter.

The event, co-hosted by Beatrice and Borne-founder Professor Mark Johnson, took place at the striking Control Room B at London’s Battersea Power Station. It gathered researchers, volunteers, and families to support the charity’s crucial mission, particularly highlighting their "Every Week Counts" campaign ahead of World Prematurity Day on November 17th (The Independent). Beatrice, dressed in a stunning floral dress by The Vampire’s Wife, was openly supported by her husband, Edoardo, who proudly stood by her side (Marie Claire).

Athena’s Early Arrival and Personal Advocacy

The Princess’s deep commitment to Borne stems directly from her personal experience. Her second daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose, arrived several weeks premature on January 22, 2025, weighing a tiny 4lbs 5oz (Sky News). Athena’s due date had been in the early spring, and doctors had warned Beatrice against long-distance travel as early as the previous December, anticipating a possible premature arrival (The New Daily).

In a candid and emotional personal essay published in Vogue in March, Beatrice spoke poignantly about the sheer worry that plagued her during and after the early birth. She wrote: “Nothing quite prepares you for the moment when you realise your baby is going to arrive early. There’s so little control. The uncertainty leaves you with an overwhelming fear of the unknown.” While Athena is now “doing really well,” Beatrice revealed she still lacks a “precise explanation” for what happened, driving her determination that “more can be done to help others find answers to those questions around the complications that can lead to preterm birth” (HOLA!).

The Urgent Need for Research Funding

The mission of Borne, and Beatrice’s role as its patron, addresses a critical gap in medical funding. The charity states that globally, 15 million babies arrive too soon each year, and complications from prematurity remain the leading cause of neonatal death and lifelong disability. Crucially, Borne highlights the disparity in investment: less than 2% of medical research funding is dedicated to pregnancy and childbirth (The Independent).

Beatrice’s advocacy is rooted in a desire to help families navigate the same uncertainty she faced, echoing her earlier work for dyslexia awareness. Her involvement began after Professor Mark Johnson, a Consultant Obstetrician at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and a leading expert in high-risk pregnancy, oversaw her care during Athena’s birth at the same hospital (PEOPLE).

Professor Johnson, who founded Borne in 2013 to support translational research, holds dual specialities in Obstetrics and General Medicine, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, underscoring the complex medical factors that can lead to preterm labour. Borne’s campaign, “Every Week Counts,” emphasizes the importance of extending the gestational period to full term, underscoring their belief that investing in science today can transform outcomes for families tomorrow.

---