4 Years Later: The Most Stunning Secrets Revealed In Princess Beatrice's Wedding Photos

The royal wedding of Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi remains one of the most intriguing and intimate royal ceremonies in modern history. Four years after their surprise nuptials, the wedding photos continue to capture the world’s imagination, especially after the couple recently shared a rare, never-before-seen snapshot to mark their anniversary. The private, pandemic-era wedding, held on July 17, 2020, at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor, was a masterclass in understated elegance and deep personal significance.

This article dives into the most stunning details of the day, from the historic fashion choices—including a dress borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II—to the surprising new photos released for their anniversary on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

The Royal Couple: Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Biography

The wedding was a union of British royalty and Italian nobility, bringing together two distinct family histories.

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Princess Beatrice

• Full Name: Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary
• Born: August 8, 1988 (London, England)
• Parents: Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York (Sarah Ferguson)
• Title: Princess Beatrice, Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (She is ninth in line to the British throne as of 2024)
• Education: Goldsmiths, University of London (BA in History and History of Ideas)
• Career: Vice President of Partnerships and Strategy at Afiniti, a software company.
• Children: Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi (born September 18, 2021)

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

• Full Name: Edoardo Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi
• Born: 1983 (London, England)
• Parents: Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi and Nikki Williams-Ellis
• Title: He is a member of an Italian noble family, giving him the title Count.
• Education: The University of Edinburgh
• Career: CEO of Banda Property, a property development and design company.
• Children: Christopher Woolf (known as 'Wolfie') from a previous relationship, and Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi with Princess Beatrice.

The Secret Ceremony and the New 2024 Anniversary Photo

The original plan for Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s wedding was a grand affair at Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace in May 2020. However, the global pandemic forced a dramatic change, resulting in a private, intimate service that ultimately made the day even more special and exclusive.

The ceremony took place on July 17, 2020, with only a small number of immediate family members present, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

A Rare Glimpse: The 2024 Anniversary Tribute

Four years after the wedding, on July 17, 2024, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi celebrated their milestone by sharing a previously unseen photograph from their wedding day on social media.

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The new photo, a throwback shared on Instagram, was a sweet, rare moment of public display of affection (PDA), showing the couple in a tender embrace.

This release of a "never-before-seen" photo is a tradition for the couple, who often use their anniversary to offer royal fans a fresh glimpse into their highly private wedding album, keeping the memory of their unique nuptials alive and current.

The original official photos, taken by photographer Benjamin Wheeler, were notable for their simplicity, capturing the couple outside the chapel and later with the Queen and Prince Philip, emphasizing the personal nature of the event over the typical royal spectacle.

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The Historic Royal Fashion: Dress and Tiara Secrets

Perhaps the most talked-about elements of Princess Beatrice's wedding were her choice of dress and tiara, both of which carried profound historical significance and served as a touching tribute to her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Vintage Norman Hartnell Dress

Princess Beatrice chose to wear a vintage gown belonging to Queen Elizabeth II—a move that was completely unexpected and a beautiful homage to the monarch.

• The Designer: The dress was originally designed by Norman Hartnell, the same designer responsible for the Queen's own wedding dress and coronation gown.
• The History: The Queen first wore the ivory Peau De Soie taffeta dress to a state dinner in Rome in 1961 and later to the London premiere of Lawrence of Arabia in 1962.
• The Alterations: The gown was subtly yet significantly remodelled for Beatrice. The alterations were carried out by the Queen's dresser, Angela Kelly, and designer Stewart Parvin. They added puff sleeves made of organza and fine diamond-encrusted embroidery to the skirt, transforming the gown while preserving its original structure.

This decision to repurpose a historic royal garment was lauded as an incredibly sustainable and personal choice, setting a modern precedent for royal brides.

The Queen Mary's Diamond Fringe Tiara

The tiara worn by Princess Beatrice is one of the most significant pieces of jewelry in the royal collection, cementing the wedding's historical weight.

• The History: The Queen Mary's Diamond Fringe Tiara was originally made for Queen Mary in 1919 and can be worn as a necklace or a tiara.
• The Royal Connection: Most notably, Queen Elizabeth II wore this exact tiara on her own wedding day to Prince Philip in 1947.
• The Touching Moment: In a moment of high drama just before Queen Elizabeth II's wedding, the tiara famously snapped and had to be hastily repaired by a jeweler from Garrard before the ceremony.

By wearing both the Queen's vintage dress and her wedding tiara, Princess Beatrice created a powerful, silent tribute to the Queen, who passed away two years after the wedding. It underscored the deep bond between grandmother and granddaughter.

The Intimate Details That Defined The Day

The necessity of a small wedding due to COVID-19 restrictions meant that many of the typical royal wedding traditions were forgone, but this allowed for a focus on deeply personal and romantic details.

The Floral Arrangements

The wedding bouquet was a beautiful, natural arrangement that adhered to royal tradition. It included sprigs of myrtle, a symbol of love and good fortune that has been a part of royal bouquets since Queen Victoria’s time. The bouquet was placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey after the wedding, a tradition started by the Queen Mother.

Edoardo's Son as Best Man

In a heartwarming modern touch, Edoardo’s young son from a previous relationship, Christopher Woolf (Wolfie), served as both the best man and a page boy.

This inclusion was a beautiful public acknowledgment of their blended family and underscored the personal, family-focused nature of the entire day.

The Post-Ceremony Celebration

Following the service, the small group enjoyed a low-key reception at Royal Lodge, the Windsor home of Beatrice’s parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. The atmosphere was reportedly relaxed and joyous, a stark contrast to the massive, televised events of other royal weddings. The simplicity of the day, captured in the beautiful, soft-focus wedding photos, is what continues to resonate with fans of the Royal Family today, four years later.