Princess Beatrice is pregnant with her second child, Buckingham Palace announced today. 

The late Queen’s granddaughter, 36, and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, have kept the news a secret in recent weeks before revealing it to the public. 

It means Beatrice has got inventive while concealing her bump while making public outings, wearing baggy clothes and even appearing to sneakily hide her bump behind a garden spade. 

Beatrice and Edo will welcome the new baby in the early new year, the palace confirmed and the child will be a little brother or sister for the couple’s three-year-old daughter Sienna, and Mr Mapelli Mozzi’s son and Beatrice’s stepson, eight-year-old Wolfie. 

Beatrice – who recently topped Tatler’s best-dressed list – has switched up her style in recent weeks, and now it has become clear why. 

All eyes have been on Beatrice’s style since the fashion title was awarded, but recently she’s opted for a series of big coats, jackets and jumpers to hide her pregnancy in a subtle way.  

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: ‘Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together in early spring; a sibling for Wolfie, aged eight, and Sienna, aged three.

‘His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news.’

Just last week, Princess Beatrice made an appearance at New York Climate Week – when news of her pregnancy had not yet been made public. 

She opted for a stylish and luxurious tan trench coat to complete her look, but which also noticeably covered her stomach. 

Last month, Beatrice joined her younger sister Princess Eugenie for a visit to Haven House Hospice. 

While there, the sisters planted a commemorative tree, and Beatrice casually positioned her spade in front of her stomach.    

Afterwards, Eugenie posted a video to Instagram, in which her sister was often facing away from the camera or was slightly out of shot. 

Beatrice delicately placed objects in front of her stomach and went for a loose but cinched silhouette in a navy frock, which featured trumpet sleeves.

She’s also been spotted in a series of chic jackets in recent weeks, such as donning a cropped blazer jacket for a visit to financial company BGC, while she chose a flowing maxi skirt at the Cornbury House Horse Trials last month. 

In September, Beatrice wore a far more relaxed look than usual for a food shop to Marks & Spencer, accompanied by husband Edo. 

For the very relaxed look, she was wearing a baggy oversized denim shirt, which she wore buttoned up, and paired with a black satin maxi-skirt.  

In the announcement today, two new pictures from the family were shared to mark the announcement, with one showing blonde-haired Sienna from behind as she walks along a country lane, holding hands in the middle of her father and big brother Wolfie. 

The youngster, with a red bow in her hair, is kitted out in bright yellow wellies and an all-in-one blue waterproof puddlesuit decorated with cloud and bird motifs.

In another picture, an overjoyed Beatrice – wearing a black puffer jacket – smiles at the camera, while being embraced by Mr Mapelli Mozzi, who is gazing at his wife.

The royal baby will be 11th in line to the throne, behind older sister Sienna and mother Beatrice. 

It pushes Beatrice’s sister Princess Eugenie back to 12th in line. 

The grandchildren will be a great niece or nephew to the King, and a second cousin of Prince George, Louis and Princess Charlotte.

He or she will also be Prince Andrew’s fourth grandchild, as Princess Beatrice has two children, August and Ernest Brooksbank. 

Like Beatrice’s other children, the new baby will not be known by the title of HRH or have a royal title. 

The baby, who will not be an HRH, will be born 11th in line to the throne, with Beatrice’s younger sister Princess Eugenie moving down to 12th place.

He or she will also be the 14th great-grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the second to be born since her death in 2022, following the arrival of Eugenie’s second child Ernest last year.

Beatrice is known to be a hands-on mother to both children, and has become close to her stepson Wolfie.  

Beatrice and Edo, who are not working royals, have been married for four years after tying the knot in 2020 at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. 

The pair have been living in St James’s Palace while their £3.5million house in the Cotswolds is being renovated. 

Edo was previously engaged to Chinese-American architect Dara Huang in 2017 and the couple were together for three and a half years. 

Their daughter Sienna was worn on September 18, 2021, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. 

An announcement from the Royal Family said at the time: ‘Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their daughter on Saturday 18th September 2021, at 23.42, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.

‘The baby weighs 6 pounds and 2 ounces. The new baby’s grandparents and great-grandparents have all been informed and are delighted with the news. The family would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care.

‘Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well, and the couple are looking forward to introducing their daughter to her big brother Christopher Woolf.’

Proud aunt Princess Eugenie, who is Beatrice’s younger sister, wrote a sweet message on Instagram to congratulate the couple using her nickname ‘Beabea’. 

She said: ‘Beabea and Edo, congratulations on your new angel. I can’t wait to meet her and I’m so proud of you. We’re going to have so much fun watching our children grow up. Love Euge.’

She went on to pen a meaningful note to her newborn niece, writing: ‘To my new niece, I love you already and think you’re just awesome from the photos.. we’re going to have so much fun ⁣together. Love your Auntie Euge.’ 

A friend of the family said the Duchess of York returned from Balmoral to meet her new grandchild over the weekend, adding: ‘She is absolutely over the moon.’ 

And doting father Edo wrote on social media: ‘Our life together has just begun, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things that await us. 

‘Feeling so much love and gratitude for my amazing wife, baby Sienna and Wolfie. These are the days I never want to forget. This week, a friend said to me the sweetest saying… that with every child you grow a whole new heart.’