Princess Beatrice's husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, publicly congratulated Catherine, Princess of Wales, on social media after she completed the Three Peaks Challenge to raise awareness for life after cancer. Mapelli Mozzi posted a series of applause emojis and a red heart on Catherine's Instagram post, drawing attention amid speculation about the relationships between Catherine and the York princesses, Beatrice and Eugenie.
While Prince William is reportedly on good terms with Mapelli Mozzi, sources suggest Catherine is cautious of Beatrice and Eugenie due to their parents' past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Body language expert Judi James noted instances, such as the Christmas Day service at Sandringham last year, where Beatrice appeared to display 'awkwardness and dislike' towards the Waleses. During that event, while other royals engaged in conversation, Beatrice and Eugenie showed no apparent interaction with William and Catherine.
The release of U.S. Department of Justice files related to Epstein has led to scrutiny regarding the extent to which the daughters of the former Duke and Duchess of York were aware of their parents' dealings with the financier. An email from Epstein in 2015 mentioned Beatrice's fondness for him, and it has also emerged that Beatrice advised her mother on placating Epstein in 2011 and played a role in facilitating her father's 2019 Newsnight interview.
Despite these controversies, Beatrice and Eugenie attended the recent wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling. During the event, Mapelli Mozzi was observed exhibiting 'gallant confidence,' leading the group and offering support to Beatrice.
Kensington Palace stated that Catherine's solo completion of the Three Peaks Challenge, which involved scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon, is believed to be a royal first. She was supported by Mountain Rescue during the expedition and was met at the end by her husband, Prince William, their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and brother, James Middleton. Catherine also made a private donation, estimated between £1,000 and £2,000, to a fundraising page for Molly Olly's Wishes, a charity supporting children with serious illnesses, after encountering 11-year-old Ted Haslam during the challenge. She had requested that her participation remain private.