PRINCESS Beatrice has given birth to a baby girl, and bookies have revealed that the top predicted name is Sarah – in a nod to grandma Sarah Ferguson.
Beatrice, 32, who is the daughter of Prince Andrew and Fergie, confirmed the happy news of the arrival and said she and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are “delighted.”
She tweeted the little girl had arrived “safely” into the world two days ago on Saturday September 18.
The Queen’s granddaughter gave birth at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, welcoming her baby girl just before midnight at 11.42pm.
Betfair told Fabulous that Sarah is the early joint 8/1 favourite to be the new royal baby’s name.
Meanwhile, Anna and Emily are joint second with odds of 10/1.
With a nod to husband Edoardo’s Italian heritage, there are plenty of Italian names on the list with Maria at 12/1 and Rosa at 14/1.
Bookmakers Ladbrokes is also predicting an Italian name, and said Matilda was leading their field at 4/1, closely followed by Florence at 9/2.
Jessica O’Reilly of Ladbrokes said: “It should come as no surprise to see that punters are backing slightly more unusual names for the new royal baby given Beatrice and her sister’s monikers.
“Matilda and Florence are proving popular names at the top of the betting, along with other Italian inspired choices such as Arabella and Giovanna.”
Arabella has odds of 5/1 as does Cecelia, while Giovanna is 12/1. Elizabeth after the Queen is 7/1.
Betfair is also predicting a tribute to Edo’s family heritage, but Beatrice might also honour her mother Sarah, Duchess of York.
Sam Rosbottom, Betfair spokesperson, said: “Sarah is the early 8/1 favourite, a nod to her mother Sarah the Duchess of York.
“We are tipping the happy couple to have an Italian flavour with their choice of name, with Edoardo’s father hailing from Bergamo.
“The likes of Anna at 10/1 second favourite, Maria at 12/1 and Rosa at 14/1 suggest they could break from traditional British names usually favoured by the royal family.”
Beatrice is already a stepmother to Edoardo’s five-year-old son Christopher Woolf, known as Wolfie.
And as she made the official announcement through Buckingham Palace, Beatrice made sure to make a sweet nod to the son of her husband, multi-millionaire property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
STEP-MUM DUTIES
The Palace wrote: “Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well, and the couple are looking forward to introducing their daughter to her big brother Christopher Woolf.”
And Beatrice also made sure to thank the hospital staff after the exciting arrival, writing: “So delighted to share the news of the safe arrival of our daughter on Saturday 18th September 2021, at 23.42, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.
“Thank you to the Midwife team and everyone at the hospital for their wonderful care.”
The new baby’s grandparents and great-grandparents have all been informed – and are delighted with the news, the Palace said.
The newborn is Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s second grandchild.
Beatrice has since been inundated with messages from the Royal Family, including the Queen and Prince Charles and Camilla.
Announcing the news on the Royal website, the Queen said she was “delighted”.
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Princess Eugenie has also shared a heartfelt message of congratulations to her sister Beatrice.
The proud aunt wrote on Instagram: “Congratulations on your new angel.
“I can’t wait to meet her and I’m so proud of you.”
A friend of the family said Sarah, Duchess of York was “over the moon” and had already met her new granddaughter.
The duchess returned from Balmoral on Friday and was introduced to her grandchild over the weekend.
“She is absolutely over the moon,” the friend added.
Beatrice and Edo shared the news through the Palace today, writing: “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their daughter on Saturday 18th September 2021, at 23.42, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.
“The baby weighs 6 pounds and 2 ounces.
“The new baby’s grandparents and great-grandparents have all been informed and are delighted with the news. The family would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care.
“Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well, and the couple are looking forward to introducing their daughter to her big brother Christopher Woolf.”
BABY JOY
The baby is the Queen’s 12th great-grandchild, and arrives just over three months after little Lilibet Diana, Harry and Meghan’s second child.
The royal infant was also born just months after the death of their great-grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh.
Beatrice was wed in a secret union in front of just 20 guests last July, and announced that she was pregnant in May.
The monarch’s large brood of great-grandchildren has swelled in 2021 – with Princess Eugenie welcoming baby son August in February and Zara Tindall her third child Lucas in March.
The couple had announced they were expecting a child together in May, saying the baby would be due in the autumn.
The announcement was made on the date of the Sussexes anniversary – something experts said was “not an oversight”.
Beatrice wore a white and black polka dot dress with balloon sleeves as she arrived in the Royal Box on Centre Court.
Meghan famously announced she was expecting baby Archie on the day of Beatrice’s sister, Princess Eugenie’s, wedding.
