Princess Beatrice has shared her personal experience of premature birth, describing it as “incredibly lonely,” as she lends her voice to a campaign calling for more research and support for families affected by prematurity.
Championing Premature Birth Research With Borne
The 37-year-old, eldest daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, is fronting efforts for Borne, a charity focused on premature birth research.
Ahead of World Prematurity Day, Beatrice appeared on a special edition of the Borne Podcast to discuss her involvement and her hopes for the campaign.
A Personal Connection to the Cause
Beatrice’s daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose, was born several weeks early on January 22.
Speaking candidly on the podcast, the princess explained the emotional toll of facing an early birth.
“I think so often, especially as mums, we spend our lives feeling we have to be perfect,” she said.
“When you are faced with that moment of learning your baby’s going to come a bit early, it can be incredibly lonely.”
Finding Support Through Shared Stories
Beatrice highlighted how connecting with other mothers and having access to organisations like Borne can bring relief.
“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,” she said.
Adjusting Plans for Health Reasons
Earlier this year, Beatrice was due to give birth to her second daughter in early spring.
However, medical advice in December recommended avoiding long-distance travel due to the possibility of another premature arrival.
She instead spent Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham, changing her original plans to be abroad for the festive period.
Visiting Research Labs and Raising Awareness
Last week, as part of Borne’s Every Week Counts campaign, Beatrice visited the charity’s research laboratories at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.
She expressed hope that the campaign will encourage families to share their own stories.
“I hope this campaign will bring people that have had their own stories to come and share them,” she said on the podcast.
Premature Birth in the UK
Premature birth affects a significant number of families each year.
In the UK alone, around 60,000 babies—roughly one in every 13—are born before reaching full term, underscoring the importance of awareness, research, and support for parents and infants alike.
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