Princess Beatrice has spoken candidly about the profound isolation families can face during premature birth, lending her voice to a campaign demanding greater research and support.
A Personal Experience with Prematurity
The 37-year-old royal, who is the elder daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, is fronting a new campaign for the premature birth research charity Borne. Her involvement is deeply personal, as her own daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose, was born several weeks premature on January 22.
Speaking on a special edition of the Borne Podcast released ahead of World Prematurity Day, Beatrice reflected on the emotional turmoil. "I think so often, especially as mums, we spend our lives feeling we have to be perfect," she shared. "When you are faced with that moment of learning your baby's going to come a bit early, it can be incredibly lonely."
Campaigning for Change and Support
The princess, who is a patron of Borne, recently visited the charity's research laboratories at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London as part of the Every Week Counts campaign. She emphasised the relief that support networks can provide to other parents.
"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 that is supporting the research... and asking some of these important questions," Beatrice told the podcast.
A Second Pregnancy and Medical Advice
Beatrice's advocacy comes during a significant time in her own life. She was due to give birth to her second daughter in early spring, but in December received medical advice not to travel long distances. Doctors reportedly warned that a premature arrival was a possibility.
Following this advice, she altered her festive plans, choosing to join the Royal Family in Sandringham on Christmas Day instead of spending the period overseas. Through the Every Week Counts campaign, Beatrice hopes to encourage others to share their stories, highlighting that 60,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK each year – equating to one in every 13 births.
