TALK OF THE TOWN: The Queen broke golden ‘married rule’ to invite Beatrice’s fiance Edo Mapelli Mozzi to Sandringham for Christmas so he could support the Princess amid her father Prince Andrew’s dramas
Princess Beatrice’s fiance Edo Mapelli Mozzi had just hours to prepare for his first Royal Christmas at Sandringham, I can reveal. It seems the Queen decided to break her rule – that only married couples and members of the Royal Family can attend the three-day festivities – at the very last minute.
Her change of heart meant Edo faced a frantic time trying to prepare his wardrobe – no mean feat given that there are up to five outfit changes a day at the Norfolk estate.
Sandringham may be known as the least grand Royal palace but Christmas there is still carried out with military precision. Guests arrived on Christmas Eve in reverse order to their seniority within the family. As such, Bea and Edo, and Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, would have been among the first people to arrive.
After a light tea, the Royals exchanged gifts at 6pm sharp. And in the evening, they sat down to a black-tie dinner. Christmas Day started with a service at St Mary Magdalene Church, before the party returned for drinks and then lunch. Edo would not even have had the chance to slip on an old jumper on Boxing Day because he would have needed his best tweed for the traditional shoot.
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozziconi attend the Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank attend the Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham
A source said: ‘Put it this way, if Edo were a woman there simply wouldn’t have been time to get a selection of different dresses, hats and coats together. He’s lucky it’s slightly easier to pack a variety of suits than it is to find as many as ten dresses. Still not that many men have more than ten different clean shirts hanging in the wardrobe, let alone that many different suits and a black- tie to hand at short notice.’
Guests are not expected to repeat an outfit during the break and some have been known to purchase new sets of underwear because suitcases are unpacked by maids – so no tatty socks or boxer shorts for Edo.
The only person to have previously attended Sandringham before marrying into The Firm was Meghan Markle, who accompanied Prince Harry in 2017. Even Kate Middleton wasn’t allowed to attend with Prince William before they married. When she did go for the first time, she reportedly buckled under the pressure over what to pack.
It is thought that property developer Edo got the call at the last minute because the Queen wanted to lend her support to her granddaughter Bea, who has faced significant strain in recent weeks. There has been constant wrangling over her wedding arrangements, including the date and venue. Sources say her patience has been tested to its limits and it’s only thanks to her fiance that she has been able to plough on.
Luckily for Edo, he was able to accept the Queen’s invitation as his ex-fiancee, Dara Huang, took their three-year-old son Wolfie to Florida to spend time with her family.
Right: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte
CRUSH OF THE WEEK… Mirabelle Pierre White
How often do we see the children of celebrities riding on the coat-tails of their parents? So hats off to Mirabelle Pierre White, below, who is determined to carve out a career that has nothing to do with her father, chef Marco.
Mirabelle, who is named after the Mayfair restaurant Marco ran for nine years from 1998, has studied at the Royal Ballet School and the 18-year-old wants to make it as a dancer.
hats off to Mirabelle Pierre White, who is determined to carve out a career that has nothing to do with her father, chef Marco