“They’re going all-out to make it the showbiz wedding of the century – with Beatrice saying that while they may be shunning the royal traditions and going against protocol, it won’t be any less regal or lavish.”
Amid the ongoing Prince Andrew/Jeffrey Epstein scandal and frequent attacks on her sister Eugenie and her father’s Instagram accounts, Beatrice and Edo have decided a happy celebration is just what everyone needs.
What’s more, Fergie let the couple’s secret out of the bag last week when she began her mother-of-the-bride preparations by scouting possible locations for the event.
Topping Fergie and Bea’s list is Villa Cetinale, just outside the Tuscan city of Siena. The 17th-century villa has beautiful gardens and is available for private rental at $42,000 a week, with the wedding package for more than 100 guests costing an extra $16,000.
Apparently all but confirming the event, Fergie’s indiscreet Italian chauffeur posted a photo of himself alongside the duchess to his Instagram account, tagging in the romantic location.
He also tagged two events companies specialising in Italian weddings: Brenda Babcock, whose website describes her as “destination wedding and event planner in Italy”, and Iles Events, which also organises weddings “all over the Italian peninsula”.
Unlike other royal weddings, Beatrice and Edo’s will have some unconventional aspects. They want their event planner to reach out to singing stars such as Beyoncé and Stevie Wonder in the hope they’ll be able to book a big name to perform.
“They’re also booking chefs from all over the world and hiring one of the world’s most expensive yachts for a post-wedding ‘friendmoon’ with a cruise around the Italian coast,” explains the source.
Having an Italian wedding will also be a nod to Edo’s heritage. His grandfather was Gian Paolo Mapelli Mozzi, who passed on the Italian aristocratic title of Count to his son and grandson – although Edo is unable to use it in the UK.
Rumours about the couple’s relationship taking a more serious turn have been circulating for a while. Last month royal commenter Ingrid Seward revealed that a family member had confirmed to her that Bea and Edo were getting married.
“A wedding as early as next spring or summer is likely,” she added. The happy couple likely announced their intention to marry while visiting the Queen at Balmoral last month.
The happy couple have been living at Bea’s St James’s Palace home since the beginning of the year. The princess, who insiders reveal is keen to have a baby, has been spending time with her future husband’s young son from a previous relationship, Wolfie.
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