A Charming but Quiet Wedding for Princess Beatrice

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with the newly-weds, Princess Beatrice of York and Count Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Image from the Royal Family's FB Page. 

The wedding bells have finally rung for Princess Beatrice of York after exchanging vows with Count Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi last July 17, 2020. Theirs was an intimate ceremony, with only 20 guests around, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew, and Sarah, Duchess of York.  The wedding was originally slated to be a grand affair on May 29, with the queen throwing a private banquet for the couple afterwards. However, the coronavirus crisis has forced them to postpone the event, opting instead for this quiet but charming wedding  at the Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. 

The wedding evoked nostalgia, perhaps the bride wanted to pay tribute to her grandmother, since she chose to wear the queen's Norman Hartnell dress and the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara, both belonging to her grandmother. The vintage Peau de Soie taffeta dress was worn by the queen when she attended the film premiere of Lawrence of Arabia in 1962.  The tiara, once owned by Queen Mary, was worn by the queen on her wedding day in 1947. It was later worn by Princess Anne when she married Capt. Mark Phillips in 1973.

Princess Beatrice of York and Count Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in their official wedding photograph. Image from the Royal Family's FB Page. 

Although Prince Andrew was not seen with the couple in the official wedding photographs, the embattled Duke of York did walk his eldest daughter down the aisle. Edo’s four-year-old son, Wolfie , was their best man and page boy, his five-year-old niece,  Coco, their bridesmaid, and her three-year-old brother Freddie, the pageboy.  Meanwhile, Princess Eugenie of York, was maid of honor (check her 2018 wedding!)

The groom’s parents, Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, a former Olympic skier, and Nicola Williams-Ellis, were also present. 

The bride's mother, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, read a poem by E.E. Cummings at the service. Under the pandemic restrictions, no singing was conducted during the service, although music, including the National Anthem,  was played.

Princess Beatrice was reportedly “very sad” when she and Mr. Mozzi decided to postpone their May 2020 wedding. At first, the couple decided to cancel their reception following government advice and also to avoid "unnecessary risks". However, realizing that there was "no alternative" at all they decided to postpone their wedding until next year for the safety of everyone concerned.

The couple's official wedding photographs were taken by Benjamin Wheeler and released in the British Royal Family's official Facebook Page.