How Prince Andrew’s break from royal duties could affect Princess Beatrice’s wedding next year

Prince Andrew has issued a statement to announce that he’s stepping back from royal duties, and now a royal expert has revealed how this could impact Princess Beatrice’s wedding next year.

The Duke of York revealed yesterday in an official statement that he will be taking a break from official royal duties, following the backlash he got from his interview with BBC Newsnight.

Ever since the interview aired on Saturday, many big companies ceased to financially support schemes connected to the Prince – including banking giant Standard Chartered and consultancy firm KPMG.

But with his daughter Princess Beatrice’s wedding coming up next year, how could this affect her special day?

READ MORE: Royal Lodge: A look inside Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s Windsor family home

Royal biographer Christopher Warwick told Press Association that Princess Beatrice could be forced to have a smaller and more private affair than her sister Princess Eugenie did a year ago, when she tied the knot at Windsor Castle.

“I think – fairly or unfairly – it has cast a shadow over the York family but more broadly his stepping back from official duties has kind of lifted that shadow that was about to be cast over the whole royal family,” he said.

“If Prince Andrew thought this interview was going to draw a line under this then his lack of judgment for that was as bad as his lack of judgment over maintaining his friendship with Epstein.

“He didn't understand what public opinion would be.”

When asked if Prince Andrew would ever return to his duties, Mr Warwick added, “It's anybody's guess. This is not going to die for a very long time.”

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Princess Beatrice announced her engagement to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in September, and the wedding is set to take place in 2020.

No further details about the nuptials have been announced yet, so we're still to find out where and when the wedding will take place.

Mariana Cerqueira

Mariana is the managing editor of woman&home. She has previously worked for lifestyle titles including GoodtoKnow covering all aspects of women’s lifestyle - from the Royal Family, beauty and fashion to wellness and travel. She was nominated for AOP Digital Journalist of the Year in 2020, and for New Digital Talent of the Year at the 2016 PPA Digital Awards. She’s mildly obsessed with TV (reality TV shows included) and spends far too much time planning her next trip away.