Princess Beatrice all smiles in surprise appearance as Andrew's humiliation rumbles on

Princess Beatrice has made a surprise outing today as she continues to try and raise awareness of premature birth. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's daughter has launched the Borne's World Prematurity Day campaign tonight as part of her role as the charity's royal patron.

The princess, who gave birth early to her second daughter Athena this year, visited the Borne research laboratories at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital yesterday to learn more about the charity's work into premature births. Today, the princess attended a special event alongside Borne Founder Professor Mark Johnson at Control Room B at Battersea Power Station.

The event was attended by supporters, researchers, and families who want to help work towards ending premature birth.

The princess will also appear on an episode of the charity's podcast next week, alongside ambassador Laura Tobin and Borne Founder Professor Mark Johnson.

Princess Beatrice, who became patron of the charity - which is dedicated to funding research nationally and globally into the causes of premature birth - this year, said: "The work that Borne is undertaking is something that is incredibly close and personal to me following the birth of my daughter.

"Every year in the UK, 60,000 babies are delivered too soon, with little information or research as to why this is.

"That is why I am really looking forward to supporting Borne and its programme of groundbreaking research, which I hope will help thousands of parents and children in the future."

David Badcock, Chief Executive of Borne, said the charity was "honoured" that Beatrice, 37, launched the campaign, with her support raising awareness of the "urgent need for more research".

Princess Beatrice was joined by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at the event.

The princess' outings this week come after her father Andrew continues to face humiliation weeks after losing his royal titles.

Beatrice has not commented on any matters involving her father, or her mother Sarah Ferguson, as the divorced couple prepare to leave their Royal Lodge home.