Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi has marked his fifth wedding anniversary with Princess Beatrice by sharing a heartfelt message on social media, commemorating their intimate pandemic ceremony that captivated the nation.
The property developer took to Instagram on Wednesday to honour his wife with an emotional tribute, writing: “Happy 5th Anniversary to my incredible partner, the most beautiful and amazing wife. I cherish every moment we’ve spent together and am deeply grateful for our journey. Here’s to countless more years filled with laughter and tons of love!”
The couple wed on 17 July 2020 in a private ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, having postponed their original May wedding plans due to COVID-19 restrictions. Their surprise nuptials were kept under wraps until Buckingham Palace released an announcement the following day, confirming the small family celebration had taken place with the Queen’s permission.
The intimate service, conducted by the Reverend Canon Paul Wright and the Reverend Canon Martin Poll, saw only the couple’s parents and siblings in attendance, adhering strictly to government guidelines whilst allowing them to celebrate with their nearest relatives.
A Royal Wedding Like No Other
Among the select guests were the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who witnessed their granddaughter exchange vows in what would become one of the most talked-about royal weddings in recent history. Prince Andrew walked his daughter down the aisle, whilst Edo’s young son Christopher Woolf, known as Wolfie, served dual roles as both best man and pageboy.
Unlike her younger sister Princess Eugenie’s televised 2018 wedding, Beatrice’s nuptials were not broadcast live, with reports suggesting this decision was influenced by ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein. However, the Palace later released four official wedding photographs, including a poignant image of the Queen and Prince Philip maintaining social distance whilst beaming at the newlyweds.
Princess Beatrice appeared calm, composed, and entirely comfortable in her own skin on her wedding day,” body language expert Darren Stanton told Betfair Casino. Unlike the traditional grandeur of royal weddings, the scaled-back ceremony seemed to suit her and Edoardo’s quieter and more grounded personalities.
Historic Bridal Elegance
In a touching gesture honouring her grandmother, Princess Beatrice wore a vintage Norman Hartnell gown borrowed from the late Queen’s collection. The ivory Peau De Soie taffeta dress featured Duchess satin trim and organza sleeves, adorned with diamanté and a distinctive geometric checkered bodice.
Angela Kelly, the Queen’s Dresser, and designer Stewart Parvin altered the historic piece to fit the princess perfectly for her special day. The dress, originally made for the Queen in the 1960s, represented a deeply personal connection between grandmother and granddaughter.
The bride also wore Queen Mary’s diamond fringe tiara, another loan from her grandmother, which held special significance as the same piece the Queen wore at her own 1947 wedding to Prince Philip. The stunning tiara was originally crafted by Garrard and Co. in 1919, fashioned from a diamond necklace that Queen Victoria had given Queen Mary as a wedding present.
Edo wore a traditional morning suit for the occasion, whilst Princess Beatrice’s engagement ring, featuring a central round brilliant cut diamond surrounded by tapered baguettes on a platinum pavé-style band, was created by designer Shaun Leane. The groom’s wedding band was a vintage gold piece crafted by Josh Collins.
Growing Family
The couple’s wedding anniversary comes as they settle into life as a family of five. They welcomed their first daughter together, Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, in September 2021, followed by their second daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, who arrived prematurely on 22 January 2025.
“We welcomed Baby Athena into our lives last week. She is tiny and absolutely perfect,” Edo shared on Instagram following Athena’s birth. “We are all (including Wolfie and Sienna) already completely besotted with her.”
Both daughters carry the middle name Elizabeth in tribute to Princess Beatrice’s late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Sienna, now three years old, is tenth in line to the throne, whilst baby Athena is eleventh.
The couple are also devoted parents to Edo’s eight-year-old son Christopher Woolf from his previous relationship with architect Dara Huang. Beatrice has embraced her role as stepmother, with Wolfie serving as a loving big brother to his younger sisters.
Private Yet Devoted
Throughout their five years of marriage, the couple have maintained a notably private approach to their relationship, rarely sharing personal moments publicly. This discretion extends to their children, with the couple choosing to keep their daughters‘ faces hidden in any shared photographs.
“Royals have been exposed to the media for years, so it’s completely understandable that when it comes to their love or home life, they try to keep that out of the public eye,” explains Andrea Caamano, host of HELLO!’s A Right Royal Podcast. “Princess Beatrice has been remarkably consistent in not giving away details of her private life – she kept her wedding a secret, we barely see her children, and her social media is limited to family and friends.”
Despite this privacy, Edo has become known for his romantic tributes to his wife on special occasions. Last year, marking their fourth anniversary, he shared a never-before-seen wedding photograph showing the couple kissing under the trees at Windsor, writing: “Happy 4th wedding anniversary my love. Every day is so special with you. I love you so much.”
Pandemic Romance
The couple’s relationship began in autumn 2018, with Beatrice and Edo having been acquaintances for years through family connections. Edo’s late stepfather, Christopher Shale, was a close friend of former Prime Minister David Cameron and also knew Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
Their engagement was announced in September 2019 after Edo proposed during a romantic trip to Italy. The engagement ring, estimated to be worth around £130,000, bears a striking resemblance to the Queen’s own engagement ring.
Originally planning a May 2020 wedding at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace with a reception at Buckingham Palace, the couple were forced to revise their plans due to the pandemic. The postponement led to their intimate Windsor ceremony, which palace insiders say perfectly suited the couple’s personalities.
Royal Duties and Family Life
The family initially lived in a four-bedroom apartment at St James’s Palace but reportedly moved to a manor house in the Cotswolds in late 2022. Princess Beatrice continues her royal duties whilst working as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at technology company Afiniti.
She remains involved with numerous charitable organisations, including the Teenage Cancer Trust and Outward Bound, whilst Edo runs his property development company, Banda Property. The couple are regularly seen at royal events, with Edo becoming a fixture at occasions such as Royal Ascot and the annual Christmas services at Sandringham.
Most recently, Princess Beatrice opened up about welcoming Athena prematurely in a candid letter for British Vogue, writing: “Nothing quite prepares you for the moment when you realise your baby is going to arrive early. There’s so little control.”
As the couple celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary, their journey from a pandemic wedding to a growing family of five represents a modern royal love story – one marked by resilience, privacy, and enduring devotion.
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