Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting a baby this autumn, it was announced on Twitter.
The Queen, who is mourning the death of her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, is said to be “delighted” with the news.
The baby will be the Queen’s 12th great-grandchild following the arrival of the Sussexes’ second child in the summer.
The royal couple were married last July in a secret lockdown wedding after their planned ceremony was postponed because of the pandemic.
The low-key event was held at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, and was attended by the Queen and close family.
Beatrice wore a vintage wedding gown which previously belonged to the Queen designed by Norman Hartnell, which according to Buckingham Palace was “made from Peau De Soie taffeta in shades of ivory, trimmed with ivory Duchess satin, with organza sleeves” and “encrusted with diamanté and has a geometric checkered bodice”.
Beatrice is the elder daughter of Prince Andrew. Her younger sister, Eugenie, gave birth to a baby boy, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, in March this year.
Bookmakers are already taking bets on what Beatrice and her husband will call the new addition to their family when he or she arrives.
Ladbrokes has Florence and Theodore as the early favourites at 4-1 and 9-2, while Coral has Victoria at 3-1 and Arthur at 5-1.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “The latest odds suggest Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo will opt for a traditional name with a nod to the latter’s Italian roots, and as things stand it’s Florence and Theodore leading the way in the betting.”
Additional reporting by PA
