RICHARD EDEN: Princess Beatrice's pal Alice Naylor-Leyland gives her newborn surrogate daughter a 'designer' christening
Princess Beatrice’s pal Alice Naylor-Leyland surprised friends earlier this year by announcing that she and her husband had welcomed a child using a surrogate mother in America.
She already had three children with Tom Naylor-Leyland, who is heir to a baronetcy and the £176million Fitzwilliam landowning fortune.
Now, Alice, 38, has made sure that her daughter, Margot, was given a ‘designer’ christening.
The baby was baptised at the weekend at St Mary the Virgin church in Marholm, Cambridgeshire, near her husband’s family seat, Milton Hall.
Margot’s godmothers were fashion designer Emilia Wickstead, whose clients include the Princess of Wales and Lady (Samantha) Cameron, and Emerald Fennell, the Oscar-winning director of Saltburn.
Princess Beatrice's friend Alice Naylor-Leyland has given her surrogate daughter a 'designer' christening
The baby was baptised at the weekend at St Mary the Virgin church in Marholm, Cambridgeshire, near her husband’s family seat, Milton Hall
Alice with Princess Beatrice at a VIP dinner celebrating Mrs Alice for French Sole at The Connaught Hotel in London
‘We couldn’t have felt more love,’ Alice says.
In April, she explained why she had used a surrogate mother.
‘I’m aware it was greedy to have this burning desire to complete our family,’ she said.
‘But due to too many complications, setbacks, miscarriages and then being told I was no longer able to carry, we decided to venture down the world of surrogacy.’
She thanked the unnamed surrogate mother, saying: ‘Without the kindness and courage of our dear surrogate and the brilliance of modern science using our own embryo, we would not be here.’
Alice added: ‘It’s been a bonkers journey but now we’ve arrived, I can’t wait to enjoy every minute.’
Announcing her new baby at the time, the socialite had shared pictures of adorable Margot swaddled in pink fabrics.
'Meet Margot, Our Little Miracle,' the caption read. 'Born 14.04.2024, We continue to feel very grateful for our precious Girl.'
Describing the surrogacy process as a 'bonkers journey', Alice said the couple took the option after 'too many complications, setbacks, miscarriages'
Alice shared photos of her fourth baby, Margot, wrapped in pink fabrics
While commercial surrogacy is commonplace in the USA, it is only legal in Britain if the mother is not paid, barring 'reasonable' expenses.
Alice runs a business selling themed dining sets. Among guests at the launch of her first pop-up shop of her 'Mrs Alice' tablescapes spring collection in California was Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon.
As of 2022, the Naylor-Leylands lived with their children at Stibbington House, in Cambridgeshire, where they delighted in hosting society friends.
The couple are also understood to have a flat in Chelsea, London, and a family home in Malton, North Yorkshire, where his family own the 17th-century Talbot Hotel.
He is credited with helping to transform Malton into a foodie hotspot.
