Princess Beatrice marries Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in secret ceremony attended by the Queen

Two months after cancelling their wedding due to the coronavirus pandemic, Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a surprise secret ceremony at Windsor Castle.

The pair exchanged vows at a private ceremony in front of close friends and family, including the Queen and Prince Philip. It is also believed to be the first family gathering that the Queen and Prince Philip have attended since lockdown.

Like her younger sister, Princess Eugenie, Beatrice also married in Windsor. However, Instead of having a ceremony at St George’s Chapel, she chose the more private Royal Chapel of All Saints.

The Grade II-listed church is located close to Royal Lodge Windsor, the Princess’ childhood home. It is also where Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, Princess Eugenie, and Jack Brooksbank, have all been isolating during the lockdown.

Surprise Ceremony

The wedding took everyone by surprise since there was no prior announcement. Especially since news of the couple’s wedding being postponed in April. Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli were due to tie the knot in a grand ceremony on 29 May, however, it was postponed due to Covid-19 and no new date was given by the palace at the time.

The palace said in a statement: “The private wedding ceremony of Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi took place at 11am on Friday 17 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.”

Guest attendance

Since the wedding is said to have had an attendance of nearly 20 guests, It is unclear who else was present among the intimate congregation. The couple did however have a star-studded engagement party which was attended by guests including close friends Ellie Goulding and James Blunt.

A source close to the family revealed, “So many guests were disappointed not to make the big day but understood the reason for it. They needed to make the wedding COVID-secure and safe for the Queen so what better way than the All Saints Chapel with reception on site at the Royal Lodge.”

How the couple first met

Princes Beatrice and Mozzi, a millionaire property tycoon, first began dating in autumn 2018 and got engaged during a weekend trip to Italy following their whirlwind romance.

The princess had split from her former boyfriend, Dave Clark in 2016 after being together for 10 years.

Beatrice, who is ninth in line to the throne, is not a full-time working royal. She is employed by Afiniti, an artificial intelligence software firm, where she is vice-president of partnerships and strategy.

Mapelli Mozzi, who is a count, is the son of the former Olympic skier, Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi and Nikki Williams-Ellis.

Princess Beatrice will become a stepmother as Edoardo has a young son named Wolfie with his ex-fiancee, Dara Huang.

It is understood the couple will not be releasing a wedding photo immediately because they do not want to overshadow the investiture of War Hero, Captain Tom Moore. Who is due to receive his knighthood from the Queen at Windsor Castle this afternoon.

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