With her dazzling royal title, dashing Italian fiancé and phonebook bursting with A-list names, Princess Beatrice might well have thought that she would easily take home the title of ‘wedding of the year’.
But 2020 looks set to be a bumper year for high-society nuptials, with well-connected society beauties, designer fashion models and ‘lesser’ royals all set to tie the knot in the next 12 months.
Society bible Tatler offered up its pick of the high-profile weddings to watch this year, including James Middleton’s country ceremony and the jet-set extravaganza of fashionista Gabriella de Givenchy.
Here, we share some of Tatler’s ones-to-watch, alongside our own…
THE PRINCESS BRIDE
Undoubtedly the most high profile of all the society brides this year is Princess Beatrice, 31, who will tie the knot with Italian property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 37, pictured
Edoardo, 37, was given the honour of being invited to join the Royal Family for church on Christmas Day at Sandringham, pictured, despite not yet being married to Beatrice
Beatrice has seen her happiness overshadowed by the ongoing scandal surrounding her father, Prince Andrew. Pictured, Beatrice with Andrew and her mother at Royal Ascot in 2018
Undoubtedly the most high profile of all the society brides this year is Princess Beatrice, 31, who will tie the knot with Italian property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 37.
The bride’s grandmother the Queen, as well as her cousins, the Sussexes and the Cambridges, are all expected to attend, while Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran, Naomi Campbell and Robbie Williams are all members of her star-studded inner circle. If their engagement party is anything to go by, there will be no shortage of celebrities among the congregation.
It has yet to be announced where the wedding will be held, but money is on Windsor Lodge, the home of her parents the Duke and Duchess of York.
However she will not receive the same treatment as her younger sister, whose wedding was watched by three million during an ITV special last year, after the broadcaster announced it ‘definitely won’t’ be televising her wedding live.
Princess Beatrice (right) was by sister Princess Eugenie’s side when she tied the knot with Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle in October 2018. Eugenie will likely return the favour
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo shared this sweet photo, taken by Eugenie, to announce their engagement in September last year. It is not known where or when the wedding will be held
ITV made the decision despite devoting a whole morning schedule to Princess Eugenie’s 2018 wedding to wine merchant Jack Brooksbank, 34, at Windsor Castle.
Beatrice has seen her happiness overshadowed by the ongoing scandal surrounding her father, Prince Andrew, with royal experts suggesting he has become so ‘toxic’ that her wedding ceremony could even be held privately.
But no matter what the ongoing scandal swirling around the family, there is no doubt Beatrice will make the most radiant bride on her big day. Fashionistas are eagerly awaiting to find out her wedding designer as she’s certainly not afraid to take risks.
THE SOCIETY SWEETHEART
Cressida Bonas, who famously dated Prince Harry for years, announced her engagement to estate agent Harry Wentworth-Stanley in August 2019. Pictured, the couple at a 2017 event
Harry, an old Harrovian and the son of the Marchioness of Milford Haven, popped the question with a stunning ruby ring during a trip to the US. They shared this photo to announce the news
Among the other society brides expected to tie the knot is one of Princess Beatrice’s close friends: actress Cressida Bonas, 30.
Cressida, who famously dated Prince Harry for years, announced her engagement to estate agent Harry Wentworth-Stanley in August 2019.
The couple first dated while studying at university before rekindling their romance in 2017. Harry, an old Harrovian and the son of the Marchioness of Milford Haven, popped the question with a stunning ruby ring during a trip to the US.
There will be no shortage of blue-bloods when the two say ‘I do’. Cressida has a gaggle of glamorous siblings – among actress Isabella Calthorpe, wife of Sir Richard Branson’s son Sam – and a close circle of friends, including Eugenie and Beatrice.
Her former flame Prince Harry and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, could also find themselves on the guest list after Cressida was invited to their wedding in May 2018.
Another royal overlap could be James Middleton, brother of Pippa and Kate, who took to the Instagram comments section to congratulate Cressida and Harry when they shared their news on the platform with a loved-up snap.
THE FRENCH FINANCE WHIZZ
About to marry into one of the world’s most famous families is French fiancier Alizée Thevenet, who won the heart of James Middleton, 32. Pictured, the couple in November last year
Alizée enviably chic, and typically French, sense of style means there’s no doubt she will be a stylish bride. Pictured, the couple at Wimbledon (left) and Lady Gabriella Windsor’s wedding
Proud James shared this photo to announce their engagement, with the simple caption: ‘She said OUI!’ The couple could marry near the Middleton family home or in France
The bridesmaids and page boys who will likely steal the show, with Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince George, six, expected to be among the group. Pictured, George and Charlotte with mother Kate at the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews in May 2017
About to marry into one of the world’s most famous families is French fiancier Alizée Thevenet, who won the heart of James Middleton, 32.
Alizée enviably chic – and typically French – sense of style means there’s no doubt she will be a stylish bride… but she will do well not to be upstaged by her in-laws.
The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, 38, will both be in attendance, as will Pippa Middleton, 36, and her husband James Matthews, 44.
But its the bridesmaids and page boys who will likely steal the show, with Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince George, six, expected to be among the group. It could even see a public outing for Prince Louis, one, and Pippa’s son Arthur, also one.
Otherwise it could be an eclectic mix of famous friends and those out of the spotlight. The couple are close to James Matthews’ brother Spencer, a former reality TV star, and his model/presenter wife Vogue Williams, so they could very well get an invite.
It remains to be seen where the couple will decide to marry. Pippa and James married at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berkshire, near the Middleton family home in Newbury. Or, they could jet off to France to be closer to Alizée’s family.
THE ‘OTHER’ ROYAL
Flora Ogilvy, granddaughter of the Queen’s cousin Princess Kent, is marrying her Swedish boyfriend, Timothy Vesterberg. The couple shared this photo to announce the engagement
Cousins from the Kent branch of the family tree, including Lady Amelia Windsor and her sister Lady Marina (pictured together in August 2019) are expected to be invited to the wedding
Princess Eugenie is not the only royal tying the knot. Flora Ogilvy, granddaughter of the Queen’s cousin Princess Kent, is marrying her Swedish boyfriend, Timothy Vesterberg.
The low-key couple live and work in London, where Flora balances a handful of royal appearances – including joining the royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace at Trooping The Colour each year – and work as an art consultant.
Born in Edinburgh, Flora grew up in a 1780s country house on Scotland’s East coast, before her parents moved to Nantucket, where they now live. Both are possible wedding venues.
Prince William and Prince Harry are distant cousins and unlikely to make an appearance at the nuptials. However cousins from the Kent branch of the family tree, including Lady Amelia Windsor and her sister Lady Marina, are expected to be invited.
Also keep an eye out for Lady Gabriella Windsor and her husband Thomas Kingston, who wed in their own stunning ceremony last year.
THE FASHIONISTA
Gabriella de Givenchy officially married her handsome beau Ugo De Mallmann at Chelsea town hall last month but the pair (pictued) are expected to have a destination wedding in June
As the great-niece of celebrated designer Hubert de Givenchy – founder of the luxury French label – fashion is in the blood for bride-to-be Gabriella de Givenchy.
The style maven, who is an associate fashion editor at W Magazine, officially married her handsome beau Ugo De Mallmann at Chelsea town hall last month.
However the couple are expected to mark the occasion in style with an extravagant party overseas in June.
THE RECENTLY ENGAGED
Two society beauties became engaged over the festive season. The first is Tatler cover girl and illustrator Sabrina Percy, 29, who got engaged on Christmas Day to the genial Phineas Page (pictured), 37, whose family co-owns restaurant chains Franco Manca and The Real Greek
Two society beauties became engaged over the festive season. The recent question-popping means they’re not a sure-bet for a 2020 wedding but it’s certainly not out of the question.
The first is Tatler cover girl and illustrator Sabrina Percy, 29, who got engaged on Christmas Day to the genial Phineas Page, 37, whose family co-owns restaurant chains Franco Manca and The Real Greek.
Phineas gave Sabrina three ‘other’ rings – one emerald, one ruby, and one sapphire – before presenting her with her stunning diamond eternity ring. If the proposal is anything to go by, then theirs will certainly be a wedding for the books.
Sabrina is close friends with Amber le Bon and Isabel Getty, while fellow D&G poster girls Lady Kitty Spencer and Viscountess Emma Weymouth could also be on the list.
Lady Kitty Spencer (left and right on the catwalk for D&G) became engaged to South Africa-born multi-millionaire, Michael Lewis, 61, in Cape Town before Christmas
The Spencer family seat of Althorp House, pictured, is sure to be a likely choice for a wedding venue, although Mr Lewis’s vast fortune means nowhere will be off limits
Her father Richard Percy is the second-cousin of the Duke of Northumberland, who might offer up the family seat of Alnwick Castle as the wedding venue.
The other blue-blooded beauty to reportedly be set to wed is Princess Diana’s niece Lady Kitty Spencer, 29, the eldest daughter of Earl Spencer.
A friend told the Daily Mail that her boyfriend, South Africa-born multi-millionaire, Michael Lewis, who turns 61 this month, popped the question in Cape Town shortly before Christmas.
Mr Lewis, a fashion tycoon, is 32 years older than Lady Kitty and five years older than Earl Spencer.
The Spencer family seat of Althorp House is sure to be a likely choice for a wedding venue, although Mr Lewis’s vast fortune means nowhere will be off limits.
It’s not yet known whether Lady Kitty will convert to Judaism, Mr Lewis’ faith, before the big day.