Prince Andrew has been spotted for the first time since the birth of his newest grandchild, Athena, was announced.
The Duke of York was spotted looking cheerful while horseriding around the Great Park of the grand Windsor estate, where he lives with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who has today expressed joy at welcoming a new member of her "5-a-side team" of grandchildren.
The Yorks, who divorced in 1996, share grandchildren Sienna, three, August, three, Ernest, one, as well as eight-year-old Wolfie, Princess Beatrice's 'bonus' son from husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi's first marriage. Now Princess Beatrice has announced the arrival of grandchild number five - a little girl by the name of Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi.
In a touching personal statement, proud dad Edoardo - 'Edo' - shared a snap of the newborn royal via Instagram, describing his daughter as "tiny and absolutely perfect". Edo wrote: "Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi. We welcomed baby Athena into our lives last week. She is tiny and absolutely perfect. We are all (including Wolfie and Sienna) already completely besotted with her. Our hearts are overflowing with love for you, baby Athena.
"A massive thank you from my wife and I goes out to all the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their exceptional care and support during this incredibly special time."
A statement from Buckingham Palace confirmed that Athena was born on Wednesday, January 22, at 12.57pm, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, weighing in at "four pounds and five ounces". It added: "Their Majesties, The King and Queen, and other members of the royal family have all been informed and are delighted with the news."
Athena, who will not be titled HRH, is born 11th in line to the throne, with Princess Beatrice's younger sister Princess Eugenie having now moved down to 12th place. This happy news comes as Prince Andrew, 64, continues to face controversy behind the scenes.
Having long come under scrutiny over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the King's brother is now facing yet more criticism over his business affairs in the wake of the scandal surrounding his connections to an alleged Chinese spy.
"But all, it seems, is well and the family are obviously delighted. I think family has become ever more important for the beleaguered Prince Andrew, and perhaps one of his main roles in life these days is to be a doting grandad. And I'm sure that Fergie will be just as besotted as little Athena's parents clearly are."
Delighted grandmother Fergie, who has always stood by her ex-husband amid his various controversies, welcomed her newest granddaughter to the world with the following public message: "Overflowing with love and joy to be able to welcome Athena Elizabeth Rose into the world. She is already so adored and I'm incredibly blessed to be a Granny once again. So proud of Edo, Beatrice and the rest of my little 5-a-side team!"
