Princess Beatrice’s daughter, Athena, born prematurely on January 22, has a rare trait setting her apart in the royal family. Weighing 4lb 5oz, her birth was announced on January 29, with Buckingham Palace confirming The King and Queen’s delight.

Beatrice’s latest update

Months after her daughter’s birth, Beatrice has opened up about the challenges of having a premature baby, admitting that “nothing quite prepares you for the moment.”

“There’s so little control,” she wrote in an essay published in Vogue on Sunday (March 23). “Will she arrive healthy? Will there be complications? How will you juggle the rest of family life while trying to keep a tiny human safe and well?”

Reflecting on the experience, Beatrice continued, *”You know that when your baby arrives the doctors and midwives are going to be there, doing everything they can to ensure she makes it through those challenging first few days.

“But you have no idea how these things will play out, what happens next. The uncertainty leaves you with an overwhelming fear of the unknown.”*

Despite the difficulties, she expressed gratitude for what she has learned.

“Understanding so much more about our remarkable human bodies, but also, more than anything, what we don’t know,” Beatrice shared.

“For a long time, women’s health hasn’t been given the attention it deserves.

“You can try and plan as much as possible with pregnancy, but sometimes your body – or your baby – has other ideas, which in some cases can lead to a preterm birth.

“Thankfully, with ever-evolving technology in the hands of knowledgeable doctors, midwives, and nurses, more progress is being made every day towards understanding the unique complications that can accompany a preterm pregnancy.”

Athena’s unique trait

Although baby Athena is just over three months old, she has already made history with a unique distinction never seen before in the royal family.

Born in 2025, Athena is the first royal to belong to Generation Beta—often referred to as Gen Beta.

This newest generation, made up of those born between 2025 and 2039, could be the first to live into the 22nd century. One expert has even described them as the “dawn of a new era.”

What are the characteristics of Generation Beta?

In a blog post, demographer and consultant Mark McCrindle described how the next generation will “grow up in a world shaped by breakthroughs in technology, evolving social norms, and an increasing focus on sustainability and global citizenship.”

He also shared his insights on the defining characteristics that are likely to shape Gen Beta.

McCrindle went on to say, “Generation Beta will also inherit a world grappling with major societal challenges. With climate change, global population shifts, and rapid urbanisation at the forefront, sustainability will not just be a preference but an expectation.

“This generation will be raised by Millennial and older Gen Z parents, many of whom prioritise adaptability, equality, and eco-consciousness in their parenting.”

Because of this, Gen Beta is expected to be “more globally minded, community-focused, and collaborative than ever before,” as their upbringing will “emphasise the importance of innovation not just for convenience, but for solving the pressing challenges of their time.”

Unlike previous generations, their approach to social connection is predicted to be vastly different—something that many may find disappointing.

McCrindle explained that having been “born into a world of always-on technology, they will navigate friendships, education, and careers in an era where digital interaction is the default.”

He also noted, “However, curating their own digital identities with safety and wisdom (driven by their parents) will be a priority, as will helping them foster a strong sense of individuality – both in online and offline environments.”

Because of this, McCrindle predicts that this latest generation will “embody the balance between hyper-connectivity and personal expression,” adding that “they’ll redefine what it means to belong, blending in-person relationships with global digital communities.”