Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, husband to Princess Beatrice, shared a public tribute to his wife on her 38th birthday, aiming to dispel rumors of marital difficulties. He posted intimate selfies on Instagram with a message calling Beatrice his "phenomenal, beautiful wife" and stating, "We love you so much. You make our world."
The message was signed "Love E,W,S,A xxxx," with the letters reportedly representing Mapelli Mozzi, his stepson Wolfie, and their daughters Sienna and Athena. The post comes amidst speculation about the state of their marriage, which royal author Andrew Lownie suggested would not be an "easy one" for Beatrice this year.
These rumors have been amplified by ongoing revelations concerning Beatrice's father, Prince Andrew, and his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Lownie indicated that new details about the Duke of York's friendship with the late financier have reportedly created distance between Beatrice and Mapelli Mozzi in recent months. The fallout from her parents' ties to Epstein has also led to increased scrutiny of Beatrice's finances and her use of royal status for career advancement.
Lownie, author of "Entitled: The Rise And Fall Of The House Of York," noted significant changes for the York family since Beatrice's last birthday. He highlighted Prince Andrew's current situation, including potential charges related to sharing confidential information and his eviction from Royal Lodge, as well as questions surrounding the subsidized accommodation for Beatrice and her sister Princess Eugenie.
In contrast to past extravagant birthday celebrations, including a Victorian-themed 18th birthday party estimated to have cost £400,000 and attended by figures like Harvey Weinstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Beatrice's 38th birthday was expected to be a more subdued affair.
Separately, it was reported that Prince Andrew remains on a government list for a high-profile ceremonial funeral, despite losing his titles and becoming a private citizen. This arrangement is reportedly part of the government's contingency plans for royal funerals, similar to 'Operation London Bridge' for Queen Elizabeth II and 'Operation Forth Bridge' for Prince Philip. While specific details for Andrew's funeral are unknown, royal experts anticipate it would take place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, with burial at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore.
