For Bea, what a difference three years makes as self-conscious teen is transformed into glam princess

By FAY SCHLESINGER

What a difference: Princess Beatrice shows off her glamorous frame which is the result of a strict fitness regime after an unflattering photo of her in a bikini was published in 2008

Growing up in spotlight is never easy.

But these days Princess Beatrice cuts a much more confident figure.

The 22-year-old student showed off the full extent of her stunning weight loss this weekend, as she holidayed with her long-term boyfriend Dave Clark on a £400,000-a-week super-yacht in the South of France.

Yippee! Beatrice leaps into the air on the end of this trapeze before plunging into the Mediterranean

As she sunned herself off the coast of Antibes, Beatrice's black strapless swim suit displayed her slender frame to perfection.

And while the frills across her chest and hips highlighted the curves inherited from her mother the Duchess of York, the Queen's granddaughter showed that she has kept up the regime developed with her personal fitness instructor in the lead-up to last year's London Marathon.

Can't take my eyes off you: Dave Clark smiles as his girlfriend Beatrice leaves the water in Antibes, Southern France

Her toned appearance on Sunday was a far cry from pictures of the princess in a tight blue bikini in the Caribbean in 2008, which spurred her into vowing to shed her puppy fat.

Beatrice told the Daily Mail at the time: 'It was such an unflattering bikini and I've got one that's so much nicer, so I could have kicked myself for wearing it.

Making a splash: Dave Clark leaps into the sea from a jetty where the yacht was moored in the Mediterranean

Slimline: The Princess's one-piece swimsuit perfectly showed off her frame with the frills helping to highlight the curves she has inherited from her mother

Surf's up! Beatrice and Dave also had fun on a pair of jet-skis

'I thought people were a bit mean, although I know it comes with the territory. The trouble is, I don't have much confidence so it can be quite upsetting. I could probably do with losing the odd pound though, so perhaps it is the kick I need.'

But this weekend the royal's self-assurance was palpable as she changed into a bikini and let down her auburn locks.

Watched by admiring friends on the 195ft German-built Oasis yacht where she and 29-year-old Mr Clark are thought to have stayed as guests, Beatrice leapt into the air on the end of a trapeze before plunging into the Mediterranean.

An equally svelte Mr Clark, a millionaire's son who works for Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson, executed an impressive back-flip from the boat's second deck.

The six-berth yacht comes with a crew of 15 and a gym that transforms into a private nightclub. According to online advertisements, it can be chartered for between £285,000 and £418,000 a week.

Testing the water: Beatrice dips her toes into the Mediterranean before taking a dip with her boyfriend

That's enough: Following her swim the Princess returns to the boat - which houses a gym that transforms into a private nightclub

Luxury on the waves: The Princess and her boyfriend are staying on a £400,000-a-week yacht

Beatrice, who has faced a similar battle with yo-yoing weight as Sarah Ferguson, has previously put her transformation down to trainer Nadya Fairweather, whose help she enlisted in the lead-up to the London Marathon.

She is also understood to have embarked on a diet that centres on eating fresh fruit and drinking plenty of water.

Beatrice and her boyfriend have been dating for five years since meeting at a birthday party for Sean Brosnan, youngest son of James Bond actor Pierce, in 2006.

The fifth in line to the throne has just finished a three-year course in history and history of ideas at Goldsmiths College in South London.

Rather than becoming a full-time royal, she is expected to get a job once she has graduated, possibly in the field of art, fashion or charity work.

source :dailymail