Princess Beatrice pregnant: How royal will raise her child as a brother for stepson Wolfie

Princess Beatrice will become one of the few royal mothers to raise children in a blended family when she welcomes her son or daughter this year. 

The Queen‘s granddaughter, 32, and her property developer husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, announced today they are expecting their first child together this autumn.

Beatrice’s baby boy or girl will be born 11th in line to the throne. But although their mother is a princess, he or she will not have a royal title because the styling of HRH is only automatically extended to grandchildren of the reigning monarch through the male line. 

Edo already has a five-year-old son Christopher Woolf, known as Wolfie, with ex-fiancé Dara Huang. American architect Dara remains on good terms with her ex and his new wife and Beatrice is a hands on stepmother. 

However if Beatrice does need any advice on navigating the complex family dynamics, she doesn’t have far to look for inspiration and guidance. 

roud father: Edo already has a five-year-old son Christopher Woolf, known as Wolfie, with ex-fiancé Dara Huang. American architect Dara remains on good terms with her ex and his new wife and Beatrice is a hands on stepmother to Wolfie. Pictured, at Wolfie’s 2016 Christening 

Happy news! The Queen's granddaughter, 32, and her property developer husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, announced today they are expecting their first child together this autumn. The couple tied the knot in a private service at Windsor Castle in July last year (above)

Happy news! The Queen’s granddaughter, 32, and her property developer husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, announced today they are expecting their first child together this autumn. The couple tied the knot in a private service at Windsor Castle in July last year (above)

Inspiration: if Beatrice does need any advice on navigating the complex family dynamics, she doesn't have far to look for inspiration and guidance. For her aunt Princess Anne, 70, has successfully raised her children Zara, 40, and Peter, 43, to have close a relationship with their half-sister Stephanie Phillips. Pictured, Zara with her arm around Stephanie in August 2011

Inspiration: if Beatrice does need any advice on navigating the complex family dynamics, she doesn’t have far to look for inspiration and guidance. For her aunt Princess Anne, 70, has successfully raised her children Zara, 40, and Peter, 43, to have close a relationship with their half-sister Stephanie Phillips. Pictured, Zara with her arm around Stephanie in August 2011

For her aunt Princess Anne, 70, has successfully raised her children Zara, 40, and Peter, 43, to have close a relationship with their half-sister Stephanie Phillips.

The 23-year-old event rider is the daughter of Princess Anne’s first husband Captain Mark Phillips and his Hawaiian-born second wife Sandy Pflueger, who was part of the US dressage team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Stephanie has been pictured at some royal events, serving a flower girl at both Zara’s 2011 wedding to Mike Tindall and Peter’s 2008 wedding to Autumn Kelly.  

She has also shared candid snaps with her half-sister, who is 17 years older.  

No doubt Beatrice will be hoping for a similarly close bond between Wolfie and his new brother or sister. 

Fortunately Beatrice and Edo have the firm support of their families. 

Happy families: Zara Tindall and Peter Philip with their younger half-sister Stephanie. She is the daughter of Princess Anne's first husband Captain Mark Phillips and his Hawaiian-born second wife Sandy Pflueger, who was part of the US dressage team at the 1984 Olympics

Happy families: Zara Tindall and Peter Philip with their younger half-sister Stephanie. She is the daughter of Princess Anne’s first husband Captain Mark Phillips and his Hawaiian-born second wife Sandy Pflueger, who was part of the US dressage team at the 1984 Olympics

Why Beatrice’s baby won’t have a royal title 

Beatrice’s baby boy or girl will be born 11th in line to the throne. 

But although their mother is a princess, he or she will not have a royal title. 

Only grandchildren of the monarch through the male line are automatically entitled to the styling of HRH. This means he or she will be plain Master or Miss Mapelli Mozzi. 

The Queen could bestow a title on her great-grandchild if desired, but it is unlikely to be asked for. 

Sarah Ferguson has previously released a statement saying Wolfie is seen as a grandchild and is a ‘much-loved member of the family’.   

‘Wolfie is already a very much-loved member of their family and the duchess is very keen to stress that she sees Wolfie as their grandchild too,’ a spokesperson said, after Princess Eugenie announced her pregnancy last year.  

Dara is also fully supportive of Beatrice, Edo and the blended family and proudly posts about ‘co-parenting’ with Edo on Instagram. 

Last year, a friend of Dara and Edo insisted the estranged couple remain close, with Dara even cutting Edo’s hair and occasionally buying him clothes. 

Their amicable relationship meant Dara was on the original guest list for Edo’s wedding to Beatrice, 32, before the coronavirus pandemic forced the couple to cancel their May nuptials.

Beatrice and Edoardo later secretly tied the knot on July 17 in Windsor, with the Queen and Prince Philip in attendance and Wolfie acting as best man.

 

Mummy's boy: Dara is also fully supportive of Beatrice, Edo and the blended family and proudly posts about 'co-parenting' with Edo on Instagram. Pictured, with Wolfie on Instagram

Mummy’s boy: Dara is also fully supportive of Beatrice, Edo and the blended family and proudly posts about ‘co-parenting’ with Edo on Instagram. Pictured, with Wolfie on Instagram

Close: Dara Huang shared a snap of her outside a glamorous Banda property in Notting Hill on Instagram. The property is owned by Edo and is a show of how close the pair remain

Close: Dara Huang shared a snap of her outside a glamorous Banda property in Notting Hill on Instagram. The property is owned by Edo and is a show of how close the pair remain