Princess Beatrice's husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, may be motivated to preserve his ties to the British royal family due to potential marital difficulties and a vested interest in his business reputation, according to a royal expert. The couple is approaching their sixth wedding anniversary on July 17.
Mapelli Mozzi, a property developer, married Beatrice, 37, in a small ceremony at the Chapel of All Saints on the Windsor estate in July 2020, a wedding that was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and overshadowed by controversy surrounding Beatrice's father, Prince Andrew.
Recent reports suggest a strain on Beatrice and Mapelli Mozzi's marriage, with sources telling the Daily Mail that their relationship had "not been great for a while." This speculation intensified in March when Mapelli Mozzi traveled to Florida to promote his interior design studio, Banda Property, during a period of increased scrutiny following the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, with whom Prince Andrew has had ties.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail that Mapelli Mozzi has a "vested interest in steering a stable ship," as his firm, Banda Property, relies on its reputation. Fitzwilliams suggested that good relations with Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, are particularly important for him. "Good relations with the Waleses, therefore, have an added importance for him," Fitzwilliams stated.
Mapelli Mozzi recently posted a message of support for the Princess of Wales on social media after she completed the Three Peaks Challenge. This gesture comes amid speculation that Catherine is not particularly close with either Beatrice or her sister, Princess Eugenie. Fitzwilliams indicated that this message could be seen as an olive branch, highlighting Mapelli Mozzi's desire to maintain his royal connections.
The expert noted that the prestige of the British royal family, combined with Mapelli Mozzi's aristocratic lineage, has likely benefited his business. "The combination of Edo's aristocratic lineage and the most prestigious royal family in the world will have impressed his wealthy clients and boosted its sales, after he married Princess Beatrice in 2020," Fitzwilliams said.
Despite rumors of marital issues, Beatrice and Mapelli Mozzi have presented a united front publicly, including attending the recent wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling. Mapelli Mozzi reportedly displayed "gallant confidence" at the event.
Beatrice's father, Prince Andrew, faced increased public pressure following the release of documents connected to Epstein. These revelations included details about Andrew's association with the convicted financier and emails suggesting ongoing contact years after he claimed to have severed ties. The fallout led to King Charles stripping Andrew of his royal titles.
Mapelli Mozzi's trip to Florida in March, during which he promoted his company, included visits to high-end establishments in Palm Beach and Miami. His social media posts from the trip contrasted with a previous Instagram post announcing his engagement to Beatrice, where he vowed to always be by her side.