Planning under way as Princess Beatrice and fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi prepare to tie the knot
Princess Beatrice is putting plans in place as she prepares to marry her property tycoon boyfriend in the next royal wedding.
The Queen’s granddaughter and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were over the moon to announce their engagement in September, but their impending nuptials – set for 2020 – have been complicated by the controversy surrounding the princess’s father, the Duke of York.
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Beatrice’s mother, Sarah, Duchess of York, has said the last six months have been hard for her and her daughters.
As the granddaughter of a monarch, Beatrice could be expected to wed in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, just like her sister Eugenie, whose ceremony was televised and was followed by a carriage ride through the town.
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Buckingham Palace has yet to announce the details of the day – reported to be in June – but, with the furore surrounding Andrew, Beatrice might choose a more low-key option.
The Guards Chapel in central London had been reported as a possibility, given the Duke’s role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, but this was said to be no longer on the cards.
If Beatrice decides to go small-scale for the ceremony, options could include the private chapel inside Windsor Castle – where Archie Mountbatten-Windsor was christened – or at another royal residence, followed by a larger reception at the family home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor Great Park or even overseas.
Other venues could include Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral Castle, or the royals’ Christmas Day church, St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham.
But should Beatrice decide to go all out on her big day, as a Princess of York, the stunning York Minister, where the couple saw singer Ellie Goulding wed Caspar Jopling last summer, might be a possibility.
The Windsors have enjoyed a host of royal weddings over the past 18 months – all of which have been at the grand St George’s Chapel.
Prince Harry and American former Suits star Meghan Markle began the run of romantic ceremonies in May 2018.
The couple, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pledged their love for one another at a star-studded service in the 15th-century Gothic surrounds.
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Meghan wowed the crowds in her simple but stunning pure white wedding gown by Clare Waight Keller at Givenchy.
An emotional Harry was captivated by his bride as they met at the altar, telling her: “You look amazing. I missed you.”
Crowds flocked to see the newlyweds and the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex kissed on the West Steps of the chapel.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte were among the pageboys and bridesmaids, and the Duke of Edinburgh, recovered from a hip operation, put in an appearance.
There was drama in the run-up to the big day, with Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, pulling out of walking her through the Quire to the altar due to illness, and after being caught staging paparazzi photographs.
2018’s second royal wedding came in October, when another of the Queen’s grandchildren, Princess Eugenie – Beatrice’s sister – married tequila brand ambassador Jack Brooksbank.
She was then ninth in line to the throne, but the Duke of York’s daughter was treated to a glittering ceremony in St George’s Chapel and a weekend of extended celebrations.
Her exuberant mother, Sarah, Duchess of York, was back centre stage after years as an outcast from the Windsors.
George and Charlotte were among the young helpers, along with Robbie Williams’ daughter, Theodora.
Inside the church, the young prince and his second cousin, Savannah Phillips, got up to mischief, with Savannah pretending to play a trumpet, delighting George, who later clamped his hand over his mouth when he realised they had been spotted.
Supermodels, singers and actors were among the guests.
Eugenie’s dress was designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, and was created with a low back at the princess’s request to show her long scar from an operation she underwent at the age of 12 to correct a curvature of her spine.
It was at Eugenie’s wedding that Harry and Meghan shared the news with their family that they were expecting their first child.
A few months later, in May 2019, the royals gathered once again for more family celebrations when Lady Gabriella Windsor married financier Thomas Kingston.
Lady Gabriella – known as Ella – is the daughter of the Queen’s cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, and his wife, Princess Michael of Kent, and is a minor royal who works as an arts and travel director for a brand company.
Philip made a rare public appearance to join the Queen and other royals at the wedding, with Harry leaving Meghan and newborn son Archie at home to attend the ceremony.
A beaming Ella wore a bespoke gown by Italian designer Luisa Beccaria.
Her tiara was a Russian Fringe-style tiara also worn by her grandmother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, and mother, Princess Michael of Kent, on their wedding days.
Some of the young bridesmaids were spotted lying on the steps of St George’s Chapel afterwards as the newlyweds and their families looked on.