Queen’s hopes for healing a Royal Family rift last year were dashed by pandemic

Princess Beatrice’s wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi took place in July 2020, attended by the Queen and Prince Philip, but plans had been changed. 

• Princess Beatrice's wedding date was postponed due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic.
• Sources claim that the Queen had hoped the occasion would bring the Royal Family "back together". 
• In other Royal News (opens in new tab), Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall shares unique childhood insight as new book club launches (opens in new tab). 

After the happy couple announced their engagement back in September 2019, it had been thought that the two would marry in spring last year. Unfortunately, however, the ongoing effects of the pandemic meant that any plans for a larger royal wedding like that of her sister Princess Eugenie (opens in new tab) had to change. Princess Beatrice wed Edoardo in a secret ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor on 17 July 2020. 

Due to restrictions, only a small number of loved ones were able to attend. This is understood to have included the bride’s parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, as well as Edoardo’s parents and, of course, the Queen and Prince Philip. 

But despite the princess still being able to celebrate with at least some of her nearest and dearest on this special day, it seems things didn’t completely go to plan.

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It’s now been suggested that the Queen had been viewing Princess Beatrice’s wedding as an opportunity for a royal reunion.

How might Princess Beatrice’s wedding have helped heal a royal rift?

It’s thought by some that when the wedding planning was happening, the Queen had harbored hopes that the occasion would help bring the family back together and boost the royals’ public perception. 

According to Express.co.uk, a source told Vanity Fair's Erin Vanderhoof: “The Queen has asked everyone to come together to put on a united front.

“The press officers of all the palaces hope to portray the Beatrice wedding as the big event that brings the family back together.”

“Aides know this will be a tough job but it’s all they can do just to save the wedding, but potentially the monarchy’s reputation.” 

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo announced their engagement in September 2019. Around this time, the princess’ father Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties after the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Whilst her cousin Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex went on to step down (opens in new tab) as senior members of the Royal Family and make their home in America.

Who would have attended Princess Beatrice’s wedding?

Princess Beatrice’s wedding day would ordinarily have been attended by the entire Royal Family, bringing them together once again. 

It was also reported that her wedding was expected to take place in spring 2020, meaning that the original date would have been mere months after the Duke and Duchess’ last public royal engagement. 

Their attendance at this important event could have perhaps helped dispel rumors of a so-called “rift” between Prince Harry and Prince William and bring the brothers together in celebration of their cousin’s big day.

Unfortunately, any hopes of this being the case were dashed by the change in wedding plans. However, royal fans may get to see the Royal Family reunite before too long after all.

It’s understood that the Sussexes are intending to return for the Queen’s 95th birthday (opens in new tab) celebrations in June. Such a momentous occasion is sure to see the wider family gather.

We can’t wait!