Princess Beatrice of York’s Lucky Eights Birthday

Twenty years ago at Portland Hospital in London, the Duchess of York gave birth to Beatrice Elizabeth Mary on August 8, 1988. She was born at 8:18 pm and weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces. Sarah and Andrew chose the name Beatrice in honour of Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter.

Princess Beatrice was christened at St. James Palace’s Chapel Royal on December 20, 1988. Her godparents are Peter Palumbo, Viscount Linley, Gabrielle Greenall, Carolyn Cotterell and the Duchess of Roxburghe. Since that time, the Duchess of Roxburghe divorced Guy Innes-Ker (Duke of Roxburghe) in 1990 and married her second husband, Edward Dawnay in 1996. Sarah’s former roommate, Carolyn Cotterell, passed away in 1999 of skin cancer.

Queen Elizabeth II’s fifth grandchild and fifth in line to the British throne began her education at Upton House School. She then attended Coworth Park School and St. George’s School. She was diagnosed with the learning disability dyslexia.

Despite her royal upbringing, she mingles frequently with celebrities and socialites whilst dating her current boyfriend, David Clark. According to her father, the Duke of York, his daughter is grounded and down-to-earth which he credits to her mother, the former Duchess of York. Beatrice’s parents, Sarah and Prince Andrew, have been divorced since 1996.

Photos: REUTERS