Princess Beatrice turned 37 years old on August 8—and back in 1988, when her parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson were deciding her name, the princess was almost known by a completely different moniker. The reason why that name didn’t come to pass? Apparently her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, wasn’t a fan of it.
When Beatrice’s name was chosen, as Hello! reported, “it was viewed as an unexpected choice.” Originally, the Duke and Duchess of York originally wanted to name their firstborn Annabel, but the Queen apparently found the name “too yuppie.” During the royal family’s annual summer stay at Balmoral in Scotland—where the family retreats to every August—the Queen reportedly suggested Beatrice, which means “bringer of joy.” The name also pays homage to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s youngest child, Princess Beatrice, who later became Princess Henry of Battenberg.
Princess Beatrice on March 6, 2025.
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According to Hello!, the monarch “does not have to approve royal baby names,” but Her late Majesty “was often informed or consulted of any proposed names before being officially announced.”
Princess Beatrice on May 13, 2025.
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The discussion over Beatrice’s name might have accounted for why her name wasn’t announced for two weeks after her birth. Andrew and Fergie chose the full name of Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary, and at the time of her birth 37 years ago, Beatrice was fifth in line to the throne. Today, she’s ninth in line, and has two daughters of her own, Sienna Elizabeth and Athena Elizabeth Rose, as well as a stepson, Christopher Woolf, who is affectionately known as Wolfie.
Less than one month ago, on July 17, Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi posted a sweet tribute to his wife celebrating five years of marriage, writing on Instagram, “Happy 5th Anniversary to my incredible partner, the most beautiful and amazing wife. I cherish every moment we’ve spent together and am deeply grateful for our journey.”
“Here’s to countless more years filled with laughter and tons of love!” he added.