Reports suggest Princess Beatrice will receive a new title after she marries her boyfriend Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi this year — though her sister, Princess Eugenie, did not receive a new title after her own 2018 wedding. The reason might surprise you: It has nothing to do with the Queen or with England at all.
It turns out that Edoardo hails from royal lineage himself — and will even inherit a palace in Italy. Once they're married, Beatrice will gain the titles "contessa" and "nobile donna" (noble woman). Che carino!
Edoardo's father is Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, and Edoardo is his oldest son. As such, he will inherit the Villa Mapelli Mozzi in northern Italy. The palace was built in the 18th century.
His father explained, "Edoardo is the only male descendent taking the family into the next generation. He is a count — his wife will be a countess automatically and any of their children will be counts or nobile donna."
Her new father-in-law is also a big fan of Beatrice. He said that she and his son are "very suited to each other," and "I’ve never seen him so happy."
Beatrice and Edoardo have known one another for years, but they reconnected in 2018 and have been full-steam ahead ever since.
Both of his parents have been happy with the news of the pair's engagement. When they announced it, Edoardo's parents, Nikki Williams-Ellis and Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, released a statement that reads:
“We are truly delighted about Edoardo and Beatrice’s engagement. 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.”
While his parents are no longer married, they appear to have a pretty amicable relationship. His mother Nikki remarried Christopher Shale, who died in 2011. In 2017, she remarried again, this time to sculptor David Williams-Ellis.
Edoardo holds both British and Italian citizenships, but he cannot use his Italian titles in the UK.
As his parents noted in their statement, the families go back several years. In 2016, his mother was awarded an MBE, or Member of the Order of the British Empire. Beatrice's parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, were also at the funeral for Christopher Shale, and so was Beatrice. Christopher died unexpectedly at the Glastonbury Festival, which celebrates contemporary performing arts.
Edorado also has two siblings, an older sister named Natalia Alice Yeomans and a younger brother named Alby Shale. He also famously has a son with his ex-girlfriend, Dara Huang. While initially many wondered if Edorado ended the relationship with Dara to be with Beatrice, it seems everyone is on good terms at this point. Dara told the Daily Mail, "I wish the best for Edo and Beatrice and look forward to uniting our families."
For her part, Beatrice is not expected to receive any new titles from the Queen following her wedding. Prince Harry was granted his dukedom following his wedding to Meghan Markle, and Prince William and Kate Middleton were named Duke and Duchess of Cambridge following their wedding in 2011.
But Princess Eugenie, Beatrice's sister, did not gain any additional titles following her wedding in 2018. Her name has been communicated and styled as Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank.
It can likely be assumed that any Italian titles Beatrice receives will not be used in the UK, since Edoardo cannot use his titles there, either.
Back in 2016, Prince Andrew was said to have insisted that his daughters be given titles upon marrying. However, he has since denied those reports and instead says that he simply wanted his daughters to be included as "modern, working young women who happen to be members of the royal family."
Beatrice and Edoardo will be married in the chapel in St. James’s Palace and will host a reception outside at Buckingham Palace. They are not expected to have a carriage procession like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle received, and they reportedly are just fine with that, as it "is keeping with their wishes for a more low-key affair."
Royal fans who are hoping to watch the wedding will be disappointed. There are no plans for Beatrice's wedding to be televised. Prince Andrew is still expected to walk his daughter down the aisle, and it has been reported that at least part of the reason Beatrice and Edoardo are hoping to have a "low-key" wedding is so her father can remain closely involved.
