‘She Has Found True Happiness Atlast'

As princess Batrice starts her married life with count Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Ok! Discovers why her surprise private wedding was just what the loyal down-to-earth royal always wanted

Princess Beatrice couldn’t have picked a sunnier day for her surprise wedding with her handsome Italian fiancé Count Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. In an extraordinary precedent for the royals, news of the nuptials was only announced after the couple had tied the knot in private. However, OK! has learned that the ceremony was carried out in secret in part to protect the father of the bride.

Beatrice, 31, and millionaire property developer Edoardo, 36, who’s also known as Edo, said “I do” in an intimate family event at the charming church a Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, where Beatrice’ father Prince Andrew and mother Sarah, Duchess of York still reside. It’s close to her childhood home, Sunninghill Park.

Within hours of the service, a palace statement confirmed, “The private wedding ceremony of Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi took place at 11 am 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.”

The event couldn’t have been more different to the wedding of Beatrice’s sister Princess Eugenie in 2018 at the bigger St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where television crews camped outside and royal fans lined the streets.