The 'perfect' gift which captured Princess Beatrice and the Queen's 'exceptionally close' bond
Princess Beatrice’s close bond with her grandmother was reflected in this “perfect” gift
When it comes to buying someone a thoughtful gift, it can always be quite complicated. And when that person happened to be Queen Elizabeth II – Britain’s longest ever reigning monarch – you can only imagine how difficult that can be.
But, as a new interview with a relative of Princess Beatrice’s husband reveals, she managed to get the “perfect” gift which captured the spirit of the late monarch – and highlighted the close relationship between the princess and her grandmother.
In an interview with Hello! magazine, David Williams-Ellis – the stepfather of Beatrice’s husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi – opened up on one of the sculptures he made that would go on to become a heartfelt gift between Beatrice and the late Queen.
Speaking about the sculpture, David said, “I made the maquette of the Queen and the horse for a project which didn't actually happen, and Edo and Beatrice saw it and fell in love with it.”
“Edo decided that he wanted to give one to Beatrice and to give one to the Queen. So, he had them commissioned to be cast. They love it.”
The sculpture was thought to be the perfect gift because Beatrice believed “that it captured the real spirit of the Queen.”
The bronze sculpture shows Queen Elizabeth wearing a scarf around her hair – her classic Balmoral attire, which must be evocative of summers spent with her grandchildren out of the public eye - and patting the head of a horse with her signature handbag slung over her arm.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
A post shared by David Williams-Ellis (@davidwilliamsellis)
A photo posted by on
Beatrice and her grandmother were thought to have shared an “exceptionally close” relationship, as a friend told People magazine in the past, and Beatrice even wore her grandmother’s dress when she got married to Edoardo in 2020.
Quoting a friend, People said in 2020, “Beatrice talks about her grandmother often, and it’s clear there’s a strong bond there — the dress and the tiara could not have been more perfect.”
Queen Elizabeth was also the “guest of honour” when Princess Beatrice married the property developer in a small ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge.
The dress - a vintage dress made from Peau De Soie taffeta in shades of ivory, trimmed with ivory Duchess satin and designed by couturier Norman Hartnell - later went on display at an exhibition at Windsor Castle.
After the Queen’s death, Beatrice and sister Eugenie released a touching statement which shed light on the side of the Queen the public didn’t get to see – her simply being a grandmother.
The York sisters’ statement included sweet recollections including, “Thank you for making us laugh, for including us, for picking heather and raspberries, for marching soldiers, for our teas, for comfort, for joy. You, being you, will never know the impact you have had on our family and so many people around the world.”
Jack Slater is not the Last Action Hero, but that's what comes up first when you Google him. Preferring a much more sedentary life, Jack gets his thrills by covering news, entertainment, celebrity, film and culture for woman&home, and other digital publications.
Having written for various print and online publications—ranging from national syndicates to niche magazines—Jack has written about nearly everything there is to write about, covering LGBTQ+ news, celebrity features, TV and film scoops, reviewing the latest theatre shows lighting up London’s West End and the most pressing of SEO based stories.
-
Kate Middleton’s black skinny jeans, polka dot shirt and heeled boots made for a streamlined winter look that'll always be classy
The Princess of Wales wore the most elegant outfit during her visit to Ireland in 2020 and it'll always be a fabulous combination
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Amal Clooney's claret-coloured jumpsuit is the polished way to try the burgundy trend this season
Her one shoulder, one piece wonder is top of our shopping list
By Caroline Parr Published
-
Princess Beatrice’s raspberry mini dress is tempting us away from a muted winter colour palette
Princess Beatrice just wore a fabulous deep pink mini dress with tights and boots and she's inspired us to add this shade into our wardrobe
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Beatrice's children: How many does she have and her family explained as she prepares to welcome new baby
Princess Beatrice is preparing to welcome another baby next year and some fans might be wondering how many children she has already
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Beatrice’s elevated yet affordable accessory that Kate Middleton rarely wears is a fast-track to sophisticated styling
Princess Beatrice is a huge fan of headbands and they're such a cost-effective way to add glamour and fun to even the simplest of outfits
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Beatrice's cosy duvet coat from her pregnancy announcement has us rushing to invest in one for frosty days
Princess Beatrice is a fan of a practical coat and her snuggly duvet one is the perfect choice for the colder months
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Beatrice is pregnant with her second child, Buckingham Palace confirms
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi announced they are expecting baby number two with a sweet announcement on Instagram
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Princess Beatrice combines lace, raffia and florals to create blend of chic summer textures at Wimbledon
Princess Beatrice blended three summer trends with her floral lace dress and raffia clutch at Wimbledon and it was a textural sensation
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Beatrice’s mauve floral dress and neutral stilettos is the wedding guest outfit we’re buying this summer
We're convinced Princess Beatrice's mauve floral dress and classic court shoe would make the most beautiful wedding guest combination
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Beatrice's majorly bold frock is the epitome of spring sophistication - and follows her Grannie's fashion rule
Princess Beatrice's floral dress is a fabulous way to wear the season's most popular pattern and the late Queen likely would've approved
By Emma Shacklock Published