Princess Beatrice Recycles Grandmother’s Dress

Princess Beatrice of York, the Queen’s second granddaughter, married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a private ceremony on 17 July 2020, at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Royal Lodge, Windsor. The couple had been due to get married on 29 May 2020 at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, however the wedding had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ceremony at Windsor was only attended by close family as the couple had to follow the strict guidelines issued by the government which limited the numbers allowed to attend. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were both isolating at Windsor Castle and so Windsor was chosen as it was so important for them to be there. The bride also had a change of heart regarding her wedding dress and she surprised everyone by wearing a vintage Norman Hartnell dress belonging to the Queen.

The dress, made from ivory Peau de Soie taffeta, was worn by the Queen on numerous occasions, including a state dinner in Rome, the premiere of Lawrence of Arabia, and the 1966 State Opening of Parliament. However, it had to be altered to fit Princess Beatrice and it was remodelled by the Queen’s dresser, Angela Kelly, and British designer Stewart Parvin. Organza sleeves were added with diamanté details to match the geometric checkered bodice and a duchess satin trim was added to the bottom to accommodate Beatrice’s greater height.

The princess also wore the Queen Mary Fringe Tiara which had been worn by the Queen at her own wedding. Her bouquet consisted of jasmine, pale pink and cream sweet peas, royal porcelain ivory spray roses, pink O’Hara garden roses, pink wax flower, baby pink astilbe, and sprigs of myrtle. After the wedding, the bridal bouquet was placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, following a tradition that began with the Queen Mother.