The secret wedding of Beatrice of York: from the borrowed wedding dress to the historic tiara
Beatrice of York has secretly married and has done so in a dress from her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II and a most amazing tiara.
They should have said "I do" two months ago, on May 29, but the coronavirus does not understand classes; nor does it distinguish between mortals and blue-blooded nobles. So Beatriz de York and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were forced to cancel their wedding. We all believed that it would be a long time before we could see Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter cross the long corridor of the royal church from St. James's Palace. However, and to everyone's surprise, the young woman did not want to wait a second and, as soon as the measures of the British government relaxed a bit; she got down to business organizing a wedding plan B (pun intended).
She prepared this new and almost improvised ceremony with her mother, Sarah Ferguson and, in just two weeks, she managed to organize a secret wedding that, from the first images, we know it was a fairy tale. It took place on July 17 clandestinely in a small chapel in Windsor; and the Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh attended, along with a small group of guests who, following the recommendations of the WHO, kept a safe distance. She was led down the aisle by her father, Prince Andrew, and Edoardo was accompanied by their adorable son Christopher (whom everyone calls Wolfie); fruit of her previous relationship with the architect Dara Huang. A curious choice that makes the little one the youngest person to have such an important role in a royal wedding.
Something new, something old, something borrowed and something blue
If this royal wedding is probably one of the most surprising and unexpected in the entire history of the British monarchy, the dress and accessories that Princess Beatrice chose for such an important date are not without curiosities. The young woman married in a dress belonging to her grandmother Isabel II. It is a Norman Hartnell design that the queen herself wore at the premiere of the film Lawrence of Arabia in 1962 and later for the opening of Parliament in 1966; which for this special occasion was remodeled and adjusted by Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin. It is not at all common to see a real bride opt for a recycled dress but the truth is that Beatriz de York was more beautiful than ever.
The tiara was also recycled. Beatriz chose neither more nor less than the Tiara Fringe belonging to Queen Mary; a delicate piece full of diamonds that Elizabeth II also wore at her wedding in 1947. Story on her head. As a bouquet, the young woman opted for simplicity. She chose a Patrice Van Helden bouquet that, in shades of creams, pinks, violets and vanilla, following the tradition, included sprigs of myrtle. The new bouquet, the old tiara, the borrowed dress and the blue blood. Four elements that made Beatriz de York unexpectedly become the most spectacular bride.
An unexpected wedding
They should have gotten married on May 29, but it was not until July 17 that, secretly, they were able to celebrate their wedding.
Amazing decoration
The little chapel in Windsor where they said "I do", decorated with flowers in shades of light and pink, couldn't be more beautiful.
A borrowed dress
Beatriz de York chose for her wedding a dress belonging to her grandmother Elizabeth II. It is a Norman Hartnell design that the Queen herself wore at the premiere of the film Lawrence of Arabia in 1962 and later for the opening of Parliament in 1966.
A most flattering look
The design, although very traditional in style, is a unique piece that works today as it did half a century ago. Crafted in white taffeta and decorated with geometrically arranged diamonds and brilliants, the dress fitted her like a glove. And we are not surprised because for this special occasion it was remodeled and adjusted by Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin to adapt it to Beatriz's body and taste.
Opening of Parliament in 1966
That her grandmother gave her this surprising dress is nothing more than a sample of how much Elizabeth II supports her granddaughter, Beatriz de York.
A tiara of Queen Mary
The bride chose neither more nor less than the Tiara Fringe. A delicate piece full of diamonds that belonged to Queen Mary and that Elizabeth II also wore at her wedding in 1947.
A very special tiara
Elizabeth II wore it 75 years ago on her wedding day but the tiara has much more history behind it. It was assembled for Queen Mary from a diamond necklace that Queen Victoria gave her at her wedding, back in 1893.
A bouquet with a lot of meaning
As a bouquet, the young woman opted for simplicity. She chose a Patrice Van Helden bouquet which, in shades of creams, pinks, violets and vanilla, following tradition, included sprigs of myrtle and which, as has been done for years, was deposited on the grave of the unknown soldier at Westminster Abbey.
