Flora Vesterberg – the granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, Princess Alexandra – has welcomed her first child.
The art historian, 31, who is 62nd in line to the throne, took to her Instagram page yesterday to announce the birth of her daughter, Isabel Marina.
Sharing an adorable picture of the newborn sleeping in a white outfit with her 89,800 followers, Flora revealed her baby arrived safely last Wednesday.
She said she and her Swedish husband Timothy, also 31, who lives with the royal in London, where he works as a director of a private equity investment firm, are ‘overjoyed and full of love’ for their daughter.
Flora wrote in the caption of her post: ‘Our daughter Isabel Marina Vesterberg arrived safely on the morning of 8 July.
‘Timothy and I are overjoyed and full of love for her. She’s named for the blessing that she is as well as my paternal great-grandmother.
‘Her name also means “of the sea” where we always feel most at peace in Scotland and Sweden. Thank you for your thoughtful messages xx.’
Flora’s followers were quick to send their best wishes, including members of British high society like Lady Kitty Spencer, the niece of the late Princess Diana, and Lady Violet Manners, who earlier this month also welcomed her first child.
Flora Vesterberg – granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, Princess Alexandra – has welcomed her first child, a daughter named Isabel Marina
Lady Tatiana Mountbatten – the daughter of King Charles’s cousin George Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven – also offered her congratulations in the post’s comments.
In January, Flora announced she was expecting her first child with Timothy, sharing the news on her social media account.
Her post included a photo of the couple wearing coordinated navy outfits, which was taken by Flora’s father James Ogilvy, a landscape designer and photographer.
The caption read: ‘Delighted to share that Timothy and I are expecting our first child. We’re truly over the moon.’
For the pregnancy announcement, Flora picked a floral embroidered, linen midi dress from luxury label Erdem.
The PhD student, who was the first royal to speak openly about being diagnosed with autism, tenderly held her baby bump while Timothy had an arm around her waist.
Flora’s Instagram post was flooded with congratulatory messages as friends, family members and royal fans celebrated the ‘wonderful news’.
Her mother Julia Ogilvy wrote: ‘So much love from very excited grandparents!’
The art historian, who is 62nd in line to the throne, took to her Instagram page yesterday to announce the birth of her daughter
Flora said she and her Swedish husband Timothy are ‘overjoyed and full of love’ for their child
Sculptor Poppy Field and hotel scion Irene Forte sent their best wishes to Flora and Timothy, who tied the knot in a private ceremony at St James’s Palace in September 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic.
British couturier Phillipa Lepley, who designed Flora’s wedding gown, added: ‘How exciting – many congratulations to you both.’
One fan comment read: ‘Congrats Flora! How exciting for you!! And how awesome for Princess A to have a great-grandchild on the way!!’ Another added: ‘Such a gorgeous photo of you all!’
Flora, who has an impressive academic background, revealed last October that she is undertaking a PhD at The Courtauld Institute of Art in London.
It came after Flora revealed she had been diagnosed with autism at the age of 30 in a deeply personal essay for Vogue, with the broadcaster explaining how she felt ‘compelled to pursue a clinical assessment’ ahead of beginning her PhD.
She wrote: ‘I’ve struggled quietly with neurodiversity since childhood, but am now also able to perceive its strengths.
‘As a result of the diagnosis, I feel empowered by having a framework with which to understand my experiences and sensitivities. It brings a sense of relief as well as validation.’
Flora concluded the moving essay, published during Autism Awareness Month last May, by encouraging ‘myself – and other autistic women – to be open with their community’ and discover ‘rituals to help them embrace their neurodiversity’.
In January, Flora announced she was expecting her first child with Timothy, sharing the news with a photo of the couple in coordinated navy outfits
Flora is the thrice great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, whose studies at the Courtauld will focus on ‘elevating Nordic impressionism’ as Flora told her Instagram followers she plans to spend more time in Scandinavia.
Her PhD follows an impressive set of academic accolades, including a master’s degree from the Courtauld Institute of Art.
She is a part of the university’s Campaign Board – a circle of prominent philanthropists and advisors raising £50million for the transformation of the Somerset House campus.
When she is not working, the young royal can be spotted at elegant events and exclusive bashes across the globe, in typical socialite style.
Flora is always stepping out in style, whether it’s for artsy evenings in London, walking the runway for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, or Fashion Week parties in Milan.
Her exclusive connections get her VIP access to fashion-related events, including Cartier, Bulgari and Longchamp, as seen from her Instagram posts.
Flora has a clear love of fashion and is often seen donning the latest trendy tea dresses and sleek stylish trousers for her arty days out.
And, like Prince Harry’s former actress wife Meghan Markle, she also enjoys acting, having once spent the day as an extra on the hit ITV drama Downton Abbey.
Flora and her Swedish financier husband first met in May 2019 after being introduced by a mutual friend, later tying the knot in September 2020
Flora lives with her husband Timothy in London, where he works as a director of a private equity investment firm.
Formerly a professional ice hockey player in his native Sweden, he is a regular fixture on Flora’s Instagram page since they got together in May of 2019.
They were introduced to one another by their best man Alexander Danielsson, who the bride had met in Paris during an internship for Sotheby’s.
Timothy visited an exhibition that Flora had curated at Connolly and conversation struck between the pair over an ink drawing by Alba Hodsoll, according to Vogue, and the rest was history.
The couple are believed to have had somewhat of a whirlwind romance after meeting and announced their engagement in November 2019.
Sharing the news of her engagement on Instagram, she posted: ‘We’re engaged! My beloved Timothy asked me to marry him and we’re blissfully happy.’
They exchanged vows at the Chapel Royal of St James’s Palace, where Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840.
Royal guests at their wedding, held amidst strict Covid restrictions, included the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as Lord Frederick Windsor and his Peep Show actress wife Sophie Winkleman.
Flora wore a stunning white lace bridal Phillipa Lepley gown, her grandmother’s pearl-detailed tiara and held a small posy, later posing with her husband underneath an archway adorned with white flowers.
Exactly one year later, the couple staged a more public marriage blessing at the chapel, with a host of royals in attendance.
While her ties to the Royal Family are relatively low-key, Flora previously appeared on the balcony for the Trooping the Colour alongside her extended family and often makes an appearance at royal weddings.
She was also among the royal mourners at the September 2022 funeral for the late Queen Elizabeth, and attended the Duchess of Kent’s funeral at Westminster Abbey last year.
Flora seems to be close to Lady Amelia Windsor, a cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry, as she has posted multiple photos of her on social media.
As the granddaughter of a princess, she is a member of the Royal Family but does not, however, have her own title.
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