After a morning of tradition and ceremony, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi slipped into something far more relaxed: a lively pub gathering in Marylebone.
The pair were spotted hopping out of a taxi, juggling what looked very much like a frosted celebration cake, while friends clustered around them in cheerful post-christening spirits.
Their destination? A cosy local pub where the group planned to toast the christening of their youngest daughter, Athena, held earlier at the historic Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace.
Familiar Faces—and Some Notably Absent Ones
Among the cheerful crowd heading to the after-party was singer James Blunt, who seems to have made the cut for the intimate celebration.
But two very noticeable gaps in the group drew attention: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson.
Although both attended the ceremony at the palace—an appearance significant in itself, as it marked the first time the former Duke and Duchess of York have stepped inside a royal residence since losing their titles—they quietly bowed out afterward, continuing their low-profile retreat from public royal life.
Royal Connections Gather for Athena’s Big Day
Earlier in the day, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank arrived at Clarence House for the service, joined by a handful of European royals.
Among them was Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark, serving in her role as one of Athena’s godparents.
It’s understood King Charles received an invite but chose not to attend, despite having no official engagements scheduled.
Princess Anne was unavailable due to duties at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s Sovereign’s Parade in Camberley.
Even the Wales family skipped the event, despite Princes George and Louis having been christened in the same chapel.
The Shadow of a Scandal That Still Lingers
The run-up to the christening came with a complicated undercurrent.
A source confided earlier in the week that the idea of Prince Andrew’s presence was “dreaded” by some attendees.
Beatrice, however, has maintained a close bond with her mother, Sarah, throughout the turmoil that followed the Epstein scandal.
Her relationship with her father has reportedly been more strained, yet she extended the invitation out of concern for his wellbeing.
According to insiders, he’s been navigating a difficult period mentally, and Beatrice felt it would be cruel to deny him time with his grandchildren.
Behind the scenes, tactful conversations with the King reportedly helped pave the way for Andrew’s discreet attendance.
A Ceremony Delayed by Difficult Circumstances
Athena’s christening would likely have taken place sooner if not for the cloud of controversy surrounding her grandparents.
Compare this to her older sister, Sienna, who was baptised within six months of her birth back in 2022.
This time, the plan included one firm boundary: Andrew would not appear in any official photos and would avoid all press lenses outside the chapel.
As one source put it, Beatrice wanted nothing to distract from her daughter’s day—even though the moment marked the first (and possibly last) time her parents set foot in St James’s Chapel since losing their titles.
Beatrice Reflects on Athena’s Early Arrival
The princess has spoken candidly about Athena’s difficult start to life.
Born several weeks premature on January 22, the experience left Beatrice feeling unexpectedly isolated.
“You have this pressure to believe mums have to be perfect,” she shared on a special Borne Podcast episode.
“When you realise your baby is coming early, that moment can feel incredibly lonely.”
Her work with Borne has allowed her to hear similar stories from other mothers, many of whom are relieved to have support and research pushing for better understanding of premature births.
A Complicated Pregnancy and a Quiet Resolve
Beatrice had been expecting Athena’s arrival in early spring, but medical advice in December forced her to cut back on travel.
Doctors had already warned her that another premature birth was a real possibility.
Despite all the tension—family dynamics, public scrutiny, and private worry—Beatrice has remained focused on her daughters and determined to make Athena’s christening a day centred on joy rather than headlines.
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