Princess Beatrice has candidly shared how experiencing a premature birth can feel “incredibly lonely” as she lends her voice to a campaign focused on advancing research and support for families affected by prematurity. At 37, the eldest daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is championing the premature birth charity Borne, and recently appeared on their podcast ahead of World Prematurity Day to raise awareness.
Her personal connection to the cause runs deep—her daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose, was born several weeks early on January 22. “As mothers, we often feel pressured to be perfect, but when faced with the early arrival of your baby, it can be an isolating experience,” Beatrice revealed in the special podcast episode released on Monday.
She added that sharing stories and knowing there is a dedicated organization like Borne offers a “life-changing relief” for many parents navigating this difficult journey. The princess was originally due to give birth in early spring but was advised by doctors against long-distance travel in December due to the risk of premature birth. Consequently, she altered her holiday plans to remain close to medical care, joining the royal family for Christmas at Sandringham instead of traveling abroad.
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Last week, as patron of Borne, Beatrice visited the charity’s research labs at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, supporting their Every Week Counts campaign alongside Professor Mark Johnson and advocate Laura Tobin. On the podcast, she expressed hope that her involvement will encourage other families to share their experiences: “Then maybe we can learn from each other.”
“My favourite part of motherhood is feeling part of this almost secret club of sharing stories,” she said. “Borne supports mothers through incredibly traumatic times by ensuring exceptional data, tools, and medical expertise are available so no mum feels alone."
Premature birth affects 60,000 babies each year in the UK — roughly one in 13 — with 15 million globally. It remains the leading cause of neonatal death and lifelong disability. Despite this, pregnancy and childbirth research receive less than 2% of medical funding, a statistic that shocked Beatrice.
“I was passionate about the need for high-quality data to advance women’s and pregnant women’s health,” she explained. “Scientists collaborating with Borne agree that individual efforts aren’t enough, but together, we can drive real progress.”
Beatrice is determined that this collective approach will transform care for premature babies and their families worldwide, making hospital experiences safer and less isolating for all involved.