Let’s start with the surprise news today: Princess Beatrice is engaged! The eldest daughter of the Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York became engaged to her boyfriend, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi earlier this month while the two were spending a weekend in Positano. At this time, a wedding date hasn’t been set, save that it will occur in 2020.
The announcement from Buckingham Palace included this quote from the couple:
“We are extremely happy to be able to share the news of our recent engagement. We are both so excited to be embarking on this life adventure together and can’t wait to actually be married. We share so many similar interests and values, and we know that this will stand us in great stead for the years ahead, full of love and happiness.”
It also included a quote from Andrew and Fergie:
“We are thrilled that Beatrice and Edoardo have got engaged, having watched their relationship develop with pride. We are the lucky parents of a wonderful daughter who has found her love and companion in a completely devoted friend and loyal young man. We send them every good wish for a wonderful family future.”
Meanwhile, Beatrice’s younger sister, Princess Eugenie, may have accidentally jumped the gun on posting engagement photos to Instagram since her post preempted the BP announcement. She said in the caption:
“Beabea – wow! I’m so happy for you my dearest big sissy and dear Edo. It’s been a long time coming and you two are meant to be.”
I actually think it’s adorable that Eugenie was the one to break the news. The photos making the rounds now in the news were recently taken at Windsor by none other than Eugenie herself. Beatrice’s floral dress is by Zimmermann, a brand that she’s favored over the years.
The couple has been dating just shy of a year, but have been friends for years. Beatrice attended Mapelli Mozzi’s stepfather’s funeral in 2011, and the two made their public debut as a couple this past March at the National Portrait Gallery gala, an event attended by the Duchess of Cambridge as patron.
This marriage will also mark a new first for this generation of royals – Mapelli Mozzi has a young son from a previous engagement, which means Beatrice will become a stepmother upon marriage.
It’s possible an interview will follow later today, at which point I’ll update this post. In the meantime, I’m off to cover William and Kate’s engagement in Birkenhead, while it was noted earlier today that the Duchess of Sussex’s attendance at a breakfast in Cape Town was private and photos won’t be released until later this week…so TBD on that.