Who is Princess Beatrice?
Princess Beatrice (her full title is Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York) is the oldest daughter and first child of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson (the Duke and Duchess of York). She is the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth and currently 9th in line to the throne. Beatrice will turn 32 in August. She is said to be heavily involved with multiple charities.
Who is Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi?
Edoardo, know was 'Edo,' is the 36-year-old son of Nikki William-Ellis and Alexander Mapelli Mozzi, an Italian count and former Olympian. Edo is the founder and CEO of the real estate firm Bando where he continues to work, and co-founder of the charitable organization Cricket Builds Hope (CBH). He is father to 4-year-old Christopher Woolf Mapelli Mozzi or 'Wolfie' whose mother is Edo's ex-fiance, American Dara Huang.
Their Love Story
Edo and Bea have known each other most of their lives through their families. The groom's mother and stepfather, Christopher Shale, have been close friends of Bea's parents and former Prime Minister David Cameron. It was first reported in November 2018 that Beatrice and Edo were a couple (they actually started dating in Septemer of that year). The pair have carried on a very private relationship and have rarely spoken publicly about it. The couple starting appearing in public together in early 2019, starting in March at a gala at the National Portrait Gallery in London, in April at the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, and in May at the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor. Over the summer of 2019, Edo was spotted at a charity event hosted by Prince Andrew with Beatrice, and in July at Lenny Kravitz's photo exhibition in Prim Rose Hill. During the year they were also seen out and about with Beatrice's sister Eugenie and her husband Jack and out in NYC holding hands. They also attended various charity and society events as a couple throughout 2019.
The Engagement
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi officially announced their engagement on September 26, 2019 via Buckingham Palace's social media accounts. The engagement came after one year of dating. Edo proposed to Beatrice earlier that month in his home country of Italian while on holiday.
Edo asked for the princess's hand in marriage with an art deco inspired, yet modern ring featuring a 3.5 carat diamond flanked by tapered diamond baguettes set on a platinum band. He designed the ring for his bride-to-be with the help of jewelry designer Shaun Leane.
The engagement announcement featured the official engagement photos (taken by Princess Eugenie) and a statement that read:
"We are extremely happy to be able to share the news of our recent engagement. We are both so excited to be embarking on this life adventure together and can't wait to be married. We share so many similar interests and values and we know this will stand us in great stead for the years ahead, full of love and happiness."
A Royal Christmas
In December 2019, Edo spent Christmas at Sandrigham with Princess Beatrice and the extended Royal Family, only the second fiance to be invited to do so (Meghan Markle was the first in 2017).
The Wedding
Shortly after the engagement was announced, the Palace confirmed that the wedding would take place in 2020, would be privately funded, and would not be televised. Thereafter, the couple happily announced they would marry on May 29, 2020 at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace, London, England.
Plans soon became uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Buckingham Palace first released a statement saying, "Princess Beatrice and Mr. Mapelli Mozzi are very much looking forward to getting married, but are equally aware of the need to avoid undertaking any unnecessary risks in the current circumstances. In line with Government advice for the UK and beyond, the couple are reviewing their arrangements for 29th May..." In mid-April Edo and Beatrice announced through the Palace that their wedding would be postponed. Princess Beatrice waited out quarantine with Edo and her future mother-in-law.
Plans soon became uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Buckingham Palace first released a statement saying, "Princess Beatrice and Mr. Mapelli Mozzi are very much looking forward to getting married, but are equally aware of the need to avoid undertaking any unnecessary risks in the current circumstances. In line with Government advice for the UK and beyond, the couple are reviewing their arrangements for 29th May..." In mid-April Edo and Beatrice announced through the Palace that their wedding would be postponed. Princess Beatrice waited out quarantine with Edo and her future mother-in-law.
The Big Day
On July 17, 2020 Buckingham Palace announced the news of Beatrice's wedding in a statement that read:
"The private wedding ceremony of Princess Beatrice and Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi took place at 11 a.m. on Friday 17th July at The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor. The small ceremony was attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and close family. The Wedding took place in accordance with all relevant Government Guidelines."
Although the wedding was a surprise to the world, it was said to have been expertly planned and executed around the Queen's summer schedule after plans for the May 29 wedding were scrapped. However, it did come together in a short amount time.
The wedding ceremony was attended by only 20 guests, including the bride's sister and brother-in-law Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. Beatrice's cousins Princes Harry and William and their families did not attend. The ceremony took place at the the Royal Chapel of All Saints located on the property and within walking distance of the York home, Royal Lodge.
The ceremony was officiated by The Reverend Canon Paul Wright, Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal and The Reverend Canon Martin Poll, Domestic Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen. The bride was walked down the aisle by her father Prince Andrew, and the bride and groom's mothers shared the couple's two favorite poems, Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare, and I Carry You in My Heart by E.E. Cumming, that later of which Beatrice's new husband posted to his Instagram. The ceremony also include music selections, playing of the national anthem, prayers, and a reading of 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13. The groom's son Wolfie played a large role as pageboy and best man.
The bride chose to wear a vintage gown rather than a new design. Beatrice's dress was borrowed from her grandmother, the Queen. The gown, designed by Norman Hartnell, is made of Peau DeSoie taffeta and trimmed with ivory Duchess Satin. It features diamonte adornments and a checkered, geometric bodice. The Queen's dress makers Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin made the necessary adjustments, including adding organza sleeves, for Beatrice. The Queen wore this dress throughout the 1960s for several engagements including the opening of Parliament and the London premiere of Lawrence of Arabia.
Princess Beatrice's headpiece was also borrowed from her grandmother. She was loaned the Queen Mary Fringe tiara, the same tiara the Queen wore on her wedding day when she married Prince Philip in 1947. The tiara dates back to 1840. Originally a necklace given to Queen Victoria for her wedding to Prince Albert, it was re-fashioned into a tiara for Queen Mary (Bea's great great grandmother). Beatrice chose to accent the tiara with a classic veil. The modern princess recycled a pair of years-old, velvet Valentino heels for her special day. Reports say they are the shoes she wore to William and Kate's wedding in 2011.
The groom presented his bride with a Vicotrian and Art Deco inspired platinum band featuring a high curve (to fit around the engagement ring) with approximately 0.5 carats of diamonds. The platinum is a break in the tradition of royal brides. Since the Queen Mother's wedding in 1923, the royal family has been using Welsh gold for their wedding bands. This includes recent royal brides Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, and Princess Eugenie.
The wedding flowers were designed around a 'Secret Garden' theme. Bea's bouquet and church florals featured trailing jasmine, pink and cream sweet peas, royal porcelain ivory spray roses, pink o'hare garden roses, pink wax flowers, and baby pink astilbe. The floral decorations and bouquet were designed and assembled by Patrice Van Helden, co-owner of RVH Floral Design. The bouquet also featured myrtle sprigs and was placed at the tomb of the Unknown Solider at Westminster Abbey after the ceremony, both long-standing royal traditions. Benjamin Wheeler served as the weeding photographer.
It Didn't End There...
The newlyweds held a small, intimate reception with additional guests, totaling 30, on the grounds of Royal Lodge. Toasts were made by the groom, the bride's father, and the groom's half brother, Alby Shale. Glamping pods/tents were set up on the grounds for guests as the party went well into the evening with dancing and streamed music.
The wedding ceremony was attended by only 20 guests, including the bride's sister and brother-in-law Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. Beatrice's cousins Princes Harry and William and their families did not attend. The ceremony took place at the the Royal Chapel of All Saints located on the property and within walking distance of the York home, Royal Lodge.
The ceremony was officiated by The Reverend Canon Paul Wright, Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal and The Reverend Canon Martin Poll, Domestic Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen. The bride was walked down the aisle by her father Prince Andrew, and the bride and groom's mothers shared the couple's two favorite poems, Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare, and I Carry You in My Heart by E.E. Cumming, that later of which Beatrice's new husband posted to his Instagram. The ceremony also include music selections, playing of the national anthem, prayers, and a reading of 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13. The groom's son Wolfie played a large role as pageboy and best man.
The bride chose to wear a vintage gown rather than a new design. Beatrice's dress was borrowed from her grandmother, the Queen. The gown, designed by Norman Hartnell, is made of Peau DeSoie taffeta and trimmed with ivory Duchess Satin. It features diamonte adornments and a checkered, geometric bodice. The Queen's dress makers Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin made the necessary adjustments, including adding organza sleeves, for Beatrice. The Queen wore this dress throughout the 1960s for several engagements including the opening of Parliament and the London premiere of Lawrence of Arabia.
The groom presented his bride with a Vicotrian and Art Deco inspired platinum band featuring a high curve (to fit around the engagement ring) with approximately 0.5 carats of diamonds. The platinum is a break in the tradition of royal brides. Since the Queen Mother's wedding in 1923, the royal family has been using Welsh gold for their wedding bands. This includes recent royal brides Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, and Princess Eugenie.
The wedding flowers were designed around a 'Secret Garden' theme. Bea's bouquet and church florals featured trailing jasmine, pink and cream sweet peas, royal porcelain ivory spray roses, pink o'hare garden roses, pink wax flowers, and baby pink astilbe. The floral decorations and bouquet were designed and assembled by Patrice Van Helden, co-owner of RVH Floral Design. The bouquet also featured myrtle sprigs and was placed at the tomb of the Unknown Solider at Westminster Abbey after the ceremony, both long-standing royal traditions. Benjamin Wheeler served as the weeding photographer.
It Didn't End There...
The newlyweds held a small, intimate reception with additional guests, totaling 30, on the grounds of Royal Lodge. Toasts were made by the groom, the bride's father, and the groom's half brother, Alby Shale. Glamping pods/tents were set up on the grounds for guests as the party went well into the evening with dancing and streamed music.
What's In a Name?
Edoardo was not given a royal title upon marrying the Princess (neither was his brother-in-law Jack when he married Eugenie in 2018); however, Beatrice will retain her royal title. She can go by Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York or Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. As Edoardo descends from Italian aristocracy, he will one day inherit the Count title from his father and Princess Beatrice will become an Italian Contessa or Nobile Donna.
Edoardo was not given a royal title upon marrying the Princess (neither was his brother-in-law Jack when he married Eugenie in 2018); however, Beatrice will retain her royal title. She can go by Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York or Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. As Edoardo descends from Italian aristocracy, he will one day inherit the Count title from his father and Princess Beatrice will become an Italian Contessa or Nobile Donna.
