Who is Princess Beatrice's husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi? How real estate mogul charmed the royal
He may be known to the world as the man who swept Princess Beatrice off her feet, but to those who are near and dear, he is simply known as Edo. Thirty-seven-year-old Edoardo is a real estate tycoon, is no stranger to family life and already has a toddler called Wolfie with former fiancee Dara Huang, an American architect and designer. Princess Beatrice and Edoardo tied the knot in July 2020 with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip present, along with close family.
Princess Beatrice and Eugenie are believed to have been in a relationship since late 2018. Prior to this Princess Beatrice had been single for a few years from 2016 it is believed, following a split from long-term boyfriend Dave Clark, who she dated for almost ten years. The couple had originally planned to say "I do" in the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace in London and Queen Elizabeth was set to host a private reception afterward in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. However, like with many others, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo had to change their wedding plans in the pandemic. But what came before the happily ever after? Here's a look into how this young couple met and fell in love.
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How did they meet?
Edoardo and Princess Beatrice were acquaintances for a long time, but reportedly became properly reacquainted through mutual friends. Edoardo's stepfather Christopher Shale, a British political operative, was a friend of her parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, both of who attended his funeral in 2011 as did Princess Beatrice.
The Royal connection
Edoardo's stepfather may have provided the connection to Princess Beatrice and her family, but it is Edoardo's father who has provided another important connection between the two- Blue Blood. Edoardo also comes from royal lineage, his father is Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi. Fittingly Mozzi popped the question during a weekend trip with Beatrice to Italy. When announcing their engagement in 2019, it was clear that a similar background was important to the young couple. In their statement issued on September 26, 2019, they said, "We are both so excited to be embarking on this life adventure together and can't wait to be married. We share so many similar interests and values and we know this will stand us in great stead for the years ahead, full of love and happiness."
After the engagement, Edoardo's parents issued a statement saying, "Our family has known Beatrice for most of her life. Edo and Beatrice are made for each other, and their happiness and love for each other is there for all to see. They share an incredibly strong and united bond, their marriage will only strengthen what is already a wonderful relationship." After announcing their engagement, Edo even began joining Princess Beatrice at royal events—like the Windsors' annual walk to Christmas Day services on Sandringham Estate.
The Wedding
After several delays due to the pandemic, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo tied the knot at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in the Royal Lodge at Windsor with 20 guests in attendance. In a tribute to her grandmother, Princess Beatrice wore a vintage Norman Hartnell dress that belonged to her grandmother and the diamond tiara which her grandmother wore to her own wedding in 1947.
Romantic gestures
Edoardo certainly seems to be the king of romantic gestures and announced the couple's engagement on Instagram with this caption, "You will never be alone my love, my heart is your home. Hand in hand, today, tomorrow and forever,".In an interview with Financial Times in October 2020, Mapelli Mozzi romantically revealed, "An object I would never part with is my wedding ring."
In the same interview, Mozzi went onto reveal that he's also a thoughtful gift-giver, always important when you're married to a princess! He shared what he thought was the best gift he's ever given. "The best gift I’ve ever given is a bronze figurative sculpture, which I commissioned from my stepfather, the sculptor David Williams-Ellis, for my wife’s birthday last year. His studio is next to my mother’s house so we’d see him in there every day covered in clay. It’s so special for us to have a piece of his work in our home."
Blended Family
The couple now live at Beatrice's St James' Palace home, which means that Edoardo who describes himself professionally as a "UK real estate specialist" who "[creates] value through acquisitions, asset management, planning and development" can also co-parent his four-year-old son with ease, who lives nearby. Considering The Queen and Prince Philip are such an inspiration to Princess Beatrice we're hoping that she and Edoardo take a leaf out of their book when it comes to having a long happy marriage in spite of challenges.