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Princess Beatrice’s wedding reveals a new royal star

Her Majesty’s fond gaze at a favoured granddaughter as she stood with her new hubby shows that, despite her dad, Princess Beatrice has played this to absolute perfection, becoming a new star to eclipse Meghan Markle, writes Louise Roberts.

Princess Beatrice married in a secret ceremony

Being a successful modern royal is all about reading the room and recognising from your rarefied environment that family and tradition drives the entire show.

Quitting your job, the one you married into, because it jars with your woke mission, remains as a critical error for Meghan Markle.

I winced at the weekend when I read that Harry’s popularity with the public is at an all time low. He is now seen as a liability for the monarchy.

No one would have predicted that, such was the affection and almost maternal instinct we had towards this immensely likeable and sensible young man.

The popularity of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is low. Picture: Queen's Commonwealth Trust
The popularity of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is low. Picture: Queen's Commonwealth Trust

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And so in an unexpected turn of events, it is Mrs Beatrice Mapelli Mozzi, aka the eldest daughter of embattled Prince Andrew, who has emerged as the royal wife to be.

Beatrice and her little sister Eugenie were routinely derided in their teen years and early 20s as the grasping daughters of Air Miles Andy.

With no legitimate claim on the throne and the perpetual mystery as to what they actually contributed to public life, the pair were left stewing in the shadow of their scandal-ridden parents.

But swans they have become and Beatrice, well, she has folded into regal tradition so well she could almost knock Kate off her pedestal of perfection.

Princess Beatrice getting married to Edo Mapelli Mozzi. Picture: Instagram
Princess Beatrice getting married to Edo Mapelli Mozzi. Picture: Instagram
The bride and groom with the Queen and Prince Philip. Picture: Benjamin Wheeler/Getty Images
The bride and groom with the Queen and Prince Philip. Picture: Benjamin Wheeler/Getty Images

Her secret nuptials last Friday to fiance Edoardo are being dubbed the family wedding, full of charm and sentimentality with an overarched elegance.

Yes, the Queen also lent a tiara to Meghan when she tied the knot with Harry two years ago.

But Her Majesty’s fond gaze — from a safe social distance of course — at a favoured granddaughter as she stood with her new hubby shows that, despite her dad, Princess Beatrice has played this to absolute perfection.

Much has been made of her wearing her grandmother’s vintage gown by Norman Hartnell, an archival piece made of Peau De Soie taffeta.

The Queen first wore it at the Odeon in London’s Leicester Square for the Lawrence of Arabia film premiere on ­December 10, 1962.

The wedding bouquet of Princess Beatrice placed on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. Picture: Yui Mok/AFP
The wedding bouquet of Princess Beatrice placed on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. Picture: Yui Mok/AFP

The Monarch also lent the tiara that she wore for her own wedding at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947

In all, an extraordinarily kind gesture, with both grandmother and granddaughter acutely aware of the timeless message it sent.

But one of the most touching images is shy-looking Beatrice holding her bouquet including trailing jasmine, pale pink and cream sweet peas and other blooms as she emerges with Edoardo from the Royal Chapel of All Saints.

It was a tonic when we have become conditioned to royal brides lecturing us about saving the planet and racism.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/princess-beatrices-wedding-reveals-a-new-royal-star/news-story/6e262289a6e2aea454a0b05358bcf868