Princess Beatrice is carrying on a mission previously championed by her grandfather Prince Philip.
This week, it was announced that the Princess of York will be the newest royal patron of the Chartered College of Teaching.
“To me, the power that teachers have on shaping lives and transforming futures makes it one of the most commendable and highly regarded professions,” Princess Beatrice, 36, said in a statement. “I’m a passionate believer in the vital role that teachers play every day and know firsthand the impact that great teaching can leave on a child and their family.”
The patronage is an especially meaningful one, as it was previously held by Beatrice’s late grandfather Prince Philip.
“It’s a real honor to take up the role as Patron of the Chartered College of Teaching, a role previously held by my grandfather. I’m really excited to support the College’s mission to champion excellence in teaching and to celebrate the impact of this incredible profession,” the princess added in her statement.
The Chartered College of Teaching was founded in 1846 and incorporated as a royal charter by Queen Victoria in 1849. The society, which includes more than 42,000 members worldwide, names its objective as “the promotion of sound learning and the improvement and recognition of the art, science and practice of teaching for the public benefit.”
The college also released a statement announcing Beatrice’s position as the new royal patron.
“Our Royal Charter, granted in 1849, is a powerful symbol of the professionalism and dedication of teachers,” the statement read. “The late Duke of Edinburgh was our Patron until his death in 2021 and was an active supporter of the Chartered College of Teaching, and of the teaching profession. Royal patronage gives a clear indication of the fundamental role teachers play in society and for children and young people.”
On X, the college shared the announcement, writing, “Princess Beatrice has shown strong support for education through her work with Big Change and other organisations. Her patronage will help elevate the profession and support our mission to champion teachers.”
Prince Philip and Princess Beatrice in May 1991.
Jayne Fincher/The Fincher Files/Popperfoto via Getty
Princess Beatrice had a close relationship with her grandparents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip throughout her life until their deaths in 2022 and 2021, respectively. They were two of the small group of people who witnessed her wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in July 2020, which followed strict COVID-19 protocols at the time.
“It was all about the Queen’s schedule,” a source told PEOPLE. “The Queen was the guest of honor, and it was very important that she was there.”
At a memorial service for Prince Philip in March 2022, Princess Beatrice was seen crying and being comforted by her husband.
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While the princess and her younger sister, Princess Eugenie, are not working royals and hold professional careers, Beatrice serves in another important position within the royal family. In 2022, she was appointed as a Counsellor of State to her uncle King Charles, which means she could execute constitutional duties if the King is abroad or unwell.
The princess has made a gradual return to public life in recent months, after she and Edoardo welcomed their second daughter, Athena, on Jan. 22.
Athena was born several weeks prematurely, and Princess Beatrice shared her “sheer worry” about her daughter’s early arrival in a personal essay for British Vogue in March. She wrote that she and her family now have “a few more answers as to what happened, but still no precise explanation” of the early birth and noted the experience taught her “so much.”
Edo, as Beatrice’s husband is called, shared an intimate mother-daughter photo from the interview in a touching tribute on Instagram. “So much pride for my beautiful wife, who has bravely shared our story of Athena’s early arrival,” he wrote.
Beatrice and Edoardo are also parents to daughter Sienna, 3, as well as his son, Christopher Woolf, 9, from a previous relationship.