Princess Beatrice broke royal tradition as she followed in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s footsteps

Princess Beatrice is only the second royal to do so

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozziconi attend the Christmas Day Church service
(Image credit: Photo by UK Press Pool/UK Press via Getty Images)

Princess Beatrice broke royal tradition and followed her cousin Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle’s example last year. 

The Royal Family are well known for their traditions, particularly at Christmas. From attending the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church to supposedly exchanging presents on Christmas Eve, there’s so much history in their festive plans. Yet it seems that some of the younger royals aren’t quite so keen to observe certain festive customs

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are often thought of when it comes to paving the way for change in the Royal Family. 

But they’re not the only ones as Harry’s cousin Princess Beatrice seems to have supported their way of thinking when it came to this royal tradition. 

What royal tradition did Princess Beatrice break?

Princess Beatrice and her now-husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi ignored one particular royal tradition last Christmas. Beatrice and Edoardo are thought to have begun dating in 2018 and married in an intimate ceremony earlier this year.

The happy couple spent Christmas with the wider Royal Family last year at the Sandringham estate

However this meant that Princess Beatrice and Edoardo attended a royal event before being married.

Whilst this may not seem to be too surprising, tradition dictates that only members of the Royal Family join for the festivities.

Beatrice and Edoardo were engaged, but he was yet to officially become part of the Queen’s family.

When did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle break with this royal tradition?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were the first royals to break with this royal tradition. In 2017, the Duke of Sussex invited his then-fiancée Meghan to join the family at Sandringham for Christmas. 

Meghan, Harry, William and Catherine

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Express reports that PR advisors insisted at the time that Meghan’s attendance at the Royal Family’s Christmas celebration was necessary to avoid a row. Prince Harry went on to marry Meghan in May 2018.

Which family members weren’t allowed to ignore this royal tradition? 

Whilst Prince Harry and Princess Beatrice both brought their partners along, despite this royal tradition, many of their relatives weren’t able to do the same. 

Prince Harry’s older brother, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge might be the future king, but despite being engaged to Kate Middleton in November 2010, the future Duchess was reportedly not invited to attend.

According to Express.co.uk, a source back in 2017 claimed that “nor was Mike Tindall after his [engagement] to the Princess Royal's daughter Zara Phillips”. The source added that “only spouses and close family are usually invited”.

Though the source also suggested that “The monarchy relies heavily on precedent and tradition but it also makes its own”.

It could be that we see a few more royal traditions changing over the coming years.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!