Devastated Beatrice: the wedding’s off
How much bad luck can one royal bride have?
She thought things couldn’t get any worse last November, after Prince Andrew’s car-crash Newsnight interview turned him into a royal pariah and appeared to threaten her upcoming wedding. But Princess Beatrice, who’s engaged to property tycoon Edoardo “Edo” Mapelli Mozzi, has been dealt another blow. Sadly, like so many other planned events and celebrations across the country, coronavirus has ruined her big day.
Last week, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the couple had decided to cancel their reception on 29 May, after considering “government advice in relation to both the wellbeing of older family members and large gatherings of people”. They added that a private ceremony might still take place – but, behind the scenes, we’re told it’s looking like the entire nuptials might now be cancelled.
“This whole year has been a whirlwind for Beatrice and Edo, especially after Prince Harry and Meghan dropped the bombshell that they were retiring from royal life,” says a royal insider. “There is a lot more expected from them – not just their participation in official functions and events, but behind the scenes. There was also so much debate about Prince Andrew walking her down the aisle, or if he’d even attend the reception. All of this had already added to the stress – but coronavirus made things impossible. Edoardo is trying to convince Beatrice that it would be better if they postponed the ceremony, as well as the reception, until later this year, or even early 2021.”
It was certainly happier times back in September, when Beatrice announced her engagement. At that point, it seemed like the princess was finally getting her happy ever after – and the chance to enjoy a big day like her sister Princess Eugenie, who married Jack Brooksbank the year before in a lavish, televised do at Windsor Castle. But Prince Andrew’s Newsnight special – orchestrated by the Duke of York to distance himself from the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – put a massive spanner in the works, as he was forced to step back from all public duties after being criticised for failing to show sympathy for Epstein’s accusers.
Bea carried on with wedding planning and set the date for the end of May. But with coronavirus quickly shutting down all large events and gatherings in the upcoming months, her hopes for a beautiful white wedding became less and less plausible. Add to that the fact that Edo’s Italian relatives are still in lockdown – plus public concern for the Queen, who is currently self-isolating at Windsor Castle – even a private ceremony seems unlikely. Sadly for Bea (and the rest of the nation, who are also cancelling all their plans), happy ever after will have to wait. ■