The Yorkshire Vet’s Matt on the sweet tribute behind baby’s regal name

Matt and Katherine Jackson-Smith have welcomed the newest addition to the family: their first child, Anastasia Maria.

The couple, who are are more than equipped when it comes to caring as they already share a dog named Harry, a snake called Storm, and Dennis the bearded dragon, exclusively introduce their daughter to OK!, who was born at 2.21pm on 25 October via a planned C-section, weighing 7lb 9oz.

Anastasia has already settled into their rural home near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and her parents Katherine and Matt – best known for his appearances on hit Channel 5 show The Yorkshire Vet – tell us all about the adorable newborn

"We love her to pieces but it’s been a rollercoaster. We have fantastic support around us though."

One thing we want to know more about in particular is Anastasia's beautiful and unique name.

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"We bought a baby book for some inspiration and toyed over a couple, but when we spotted Anastasia we fell in love right away," Matt explained when we asked how they decided on Anastasia.

He also let us in on a secret that the name held an even bigger meaning for the family as it's what Matt was going to be called by his mum if he was born a girl.

"Plus, we later realised, it’s the name my mum was planning to call me if I was a girl. Katherine also liked what Anastasia was when shortened – so she calls her Annie. When she was born, she fit her name perfectly… a cheeky Annie."

Anastasia, who the new parents tell us has a special bond with dog Harry, also has a meaningful middle name – Maria.

"Maria is after Katherine’s grandmother, who was called Eva Maria," Matt said. "Katherine’s maternal side is German and her grandmother, when she was just 12 years old, had to flee with her mother – Katherine’s great-grandmother – for safety. We wanted to pay tribute to that."

Matt, 34, also revealed Anastasia's arrival happened on a very special day to him – his birthday, and the pair were overjoyed to bring her home to celebrate.

"We brought Anastasia home on my birthday. Her due date was October 28 but she was born on the 25th – via a planned C-section as that was what Katherine opted for and I fully supported that decision – and my birthday is on the 26th. The birth itself went pretty smoothly. We went to the hospital in the morning and she was born in the afternoon.

"The only worrying time was when they struggled to get Anastasia out of the C-section wound, but thankfully she arrived happy and healthy. I was there for the birth and then was told to head home. So the next day I woke up early and went straight back to the hospital. It was the best present ever."

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