Princess Beatrice, a member of the British royal family, has chosen the name Athena for her newborn daughter, who arrived earlier this month. The name, inspired by the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, carries a rich historical and mythological significance.
The British royal is the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York. Born on August 8, 1988, she is currently tenth in line to the British throne.
Her relationship with King Charles is that of niece and uncle. Beatrice is the daughter of Charles’s younger brother, Prince Andrew, making her King Charles’s niece. While she is not a working royal, she attends some royal events and has taken on private professional roles in business and finance.
Athena was the Goddess of Wisdom and War in Greek mythology
Athena’s beautiful name is of Greek origin and, according to Ancestry, holds “significant historical and cultural importance . . . She was revered for her strategic prowess, intelligence, and skill in warfare. As the patron deity of Athens, Athena played a central role in shaping Greek society and mythological narratives.
“The name itself is derived from the Greek word ‘athenaios’, meaning wise or intelligent, reflecting the virtues and qualities associated with the goddess.”
It adds: “The name Athena continues to evoke a sense of wisdom, strength, and courage.”
British royal honors her grandfather Prince Philip with Athena choice
It’s fitting that Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have chosen to give their daughter a Greek-inspired name since Beatrice’s late grandfather, Prince Philip, was of Greek heritage.
Prince Philip, who died in 2021 at the age of 99, was born on the dining room table of the villa Mon Repos situated on the coast of Corfu island in Greece. He was given the nickname “Phil the Greek” by his British subjects.
He had never visited his birthplace after his father was exiled and he himself had been spirited away as a baby, taken out of the country in an orange crate for fear that he would be kidnapped or worse. He only returned to the country in 1950, before Princess Elizabeth ascended to the throne.
Princess Beatrice’s uncle King Charles is an admirer of Greece and a staunch Philhellene.
He has visited Greece several times, the most recent being in March 2021, when he attended the bicentennial celebrations of the Greek War of Independence.
During a speech at the Presidential Mansion in Athens, he paid a touching tribute to the historic ties between the UK and Greece.
He said he was “delighted” to be back in Greece, which has long held the most special place in his heart.
In a previous visit to Greece in 2018, Charles hailed the traditionally close ties between the UK and Greece and highlighted Greece’s role in the world by saying: “We are all Greeks”.
“We are all Greeks. Our laws, our literature, our religion, our arts have their root in Greece,” he said.
