BEA’S BUDGET WEDDING
When Princess Eugenie married businessman Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle last year it set back British taxpayers a cool $4 million.
The considerable expense came just months after Prince Harry’s $8 million wedding. While that was considerably cheaper than Prince William’s bill of $13 million, it was nonetheless a huge expense and caused a public outcry.
So, despite earlier indications that Prince Andrew and Fergie would throw a lavish wedding for their eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice (31), it now appears her 2020 nuptials will be a pared-back affair.
One palace staffer has even suggested that the wedding will be entirely paid for privately, and, either way, it will be a more intimate and relaxed occasion.
It’s believed she may opt for an off-the-rack wedding dress rather than a designer gown, as royal brides before her have worn.
One source says this may not entirely be Beatrice’s choice: “At this point, rather embarrassingly, the response has been lukewarm and it looks like she might have to actually pay, and design it for herself.”
But a friend of the couple refuted this idea, claiming it’s entirely the princess’ preference to have a low-key wedding, particularly as her fiancé,
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (36), has a young son and a rather complicated history with his ex-fiancée.
Edoardo was engaged to Dara Huang for three-and-a-half years, with some reports suggesting he was still living with Dara (37) when he began his relationship with Beatrice.
Despite the rumours, Dara and Edo have maintained a close friendship as they co-parent their two-year-old son, Wolfie. Princess Beatrice will be just the second member of the current royal family to become a stepmother, joining Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
“Edo has a child, there’s the situation with his ex, and Beatrice might just feel something more low-key might be fitting,” says the friend. “There have been three big royal weddings in the past year or so and I’m not sure that’s what Bea wants.”
It’s a move that has been described as “sensible” and “mindful” by royal watchers, including Richard Fitzwilliams, who says the move makes perfect sense: “The idea of a far less spectacular wedding, paid for privately, is an excellent one, as it would be a happy and fashionable affair and it would also be popular with the public and in the press.”