Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson made a notable public appearance today, attending the christening of their granddaughter, Athena.

Princess Beatrice, 37, along with her husband, property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 42, gathered close family and friends at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace for the baptism of their second daughter, Athena. The child was born prematurely in January.

Also in attendance were Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, along with European royals, including Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark, 38, who is one of Athena’s godmothers.

Among the guests was singer James Blunt, a longtime friend of Beatrice, who was photographed arriving at the royal venue earlier today.

Reports indicate that while the King was invited, he is not expected to be present, despite having no official duties scheduled for the day. Meanwhile, Princess Anne is unable to attend as she is at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for the Sovereign’s Parade in Camberley, Berkshire.

Princes George and Louis were also christened in the Chapel Royal, but the Waleses are not expected to be there. 

It is the first time the former Duke and Duchess of York have stepped inside a royal palace since they were stripped of their titles after fresh revelations about their relationships with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. 

Earlier this week a source told the Mail on Sunday: ‘It’s going to be a royal occasion but everyone is dreading the thought of seeing Andrew there.’

Beatrice is said to have remained close to her mother Sarah during the turbulence of the Epstein saga, but relations with her father are understood to be more strained.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have arrived at Clarence House for the christening of her sister’s baby Athena 

Sarah Ferguson arrives at Clarence House for the christening

James Blunt arrives on the day of a private christening ceremony of Athena Mapelli Mozzi

A car believed to be carrying Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaves Royal Lodge 

An insider said: ‘Beatrice has, of course invited her father. But things are not warm between them. However, she’s worried about him. He’s going through a low ebb with his mental health and she recognises that he dotes on his grandchildren and it would be cruel to deprive him of the chance to attend the christening.

‘Some careful conversations and diplomacy with King Charles will have taken place to get to this stage.’

Andrew was stripped of all his royal titles in October after a leaked email published by the MoS proved he lied in his interview with BBC’s Newsnight when he claimed he ‘never had any contact’ with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein after they were pictured together in New York in December 2010. 

It is thought Athena would have been christened earlier this year, had it not been for the painful scandal engulfing her grandparents. Her sister Sienna, now four, was baptised in 2022 within six months of her birth.  

Andrew will not appear in any official photographs from the christening and will avoid cameras outside the chapel. 

The princess’s daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose, was born several weeks premature on January 22

Princess Beatrice, 37, and her property developer husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 42, will bring close family and friends to the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace where their second daughter Athena will be baptised

The former Duke and Duchess of York (pictured) will step inside a royal palace for the first time since they were stripped of their titles when they attend their granddaughter’s christening 

A source said: ‘Beatrice is determined to keep the focus entirely on her daughter, but there is no escaping the moment’s significance as this will be the former Duke and Duchess of York’s first appearance at a Royal Family event and possibly the last time he steps foot in St James’s Chapel.’ 

Speaking about the birth of Athena, was born several weeks premature on January 22, she said it can be ‘very lonely’.

‘I think so often, especially as mums, we spend our lives feeling we have to be perfect,’ Beatrice told the special edition of the Borne Podcast. 

‘When you are faced with that moment of learning your baby’s going to come a bit early, it can be incredibly lonely.

‘And even now, talking to some of the mums who know about my work with Borne, they feel this sense of life-changing relief that can come with knowing that there is an organisation that is supporting the research… and asking some of these important questions.’

Beatrice was due to give birth to her second daughter in early spring, but in December received medical advice not to travel long distances, with doctors said to have warned that a premature arrival was a possibility.