PRINCESS Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary today, following their intimate 2020 ceremony.
This came after the British property developer proposed to King Charles’ niece with a sparkling £250,000 engagement ring, which has challenges with its upkeep.
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary today[/caption]
Edoardo popped the question with a £250,000 Art Deco-inspired engagement ring[/caption]
The gorgeous Art Deco-style jewellery piece was a bespoke design by British jeweller Shaun Leane and features large diamonds, geometric shapes and a platinum band.
Edoardo wanted the 1930s-inspired ring to be “filled with personal and sentimental signifiers.
Although it is a stunning piece, maintaining royal rings does come with certain challenges, according to experts.
A spokesperson for Maxwell Stone told Fabulous: “Royal engagement rings often feature rare, high-carat gemstones, which call for careful cleaning and routine professional inspections to ensure the stone remains secure.
“Over time, prongs may loosen and older metals may require extra attention to prevent wear or damage.
“Fortunately, most reputable jewellers offer these maintenance services free of charge, so this level of upkeep is readily accessible to the royal family.”
Diane Hall, co-founder of Dower & Hall, added: “For insurance purposes engagement rings need to be re-checked by a jeweller every four to five years to make sure that the claws holding the stones are in tiptop condition and continue to be secure.”
She shared how Princess Beatrice may get her ring professionally cleaned on anniversaries.
Speaking of the process, she shared: “We use a professional ultrasonic cleaning machine and this takes away any dirt and residue which has built up on the stone over the year.
“It might not appear to be much but in actual fact after ultrasonic cleaning, customers are always very surprised by how sparkly the stones actually are.
“Everything from hand cream and face cream to washing up and just daily use causes grime which then affects the sparkle of the diamond.”
ROYAL WEDDING
Edoardo and Beatrice got engaged in Italy in September 2019, before announcing their news to the world on September 26, 2019, and tying the knot on July 17, 2020.
Beatrice and Edoardo said “I do” surrounded by close family and friends in All Saints Chapel, Windsor Great Park.
The Queen‘s granddaughter and the millionaire property developer were due to wed at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, in London, with 150 guests.
Edoardo and Beatrice got engaged in Italy in September 2019[/caption]
Instead, a select group gathered for a more intimate ceremony with strict social distancing measures in place.
The Queen was driven with Prince Philip from Windsor Castle, where they had been isolating since March, three miles up the Long Walk and through Windsor Great Park to the private church.
Beatrice, daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, welcomed daughter Sienna into the world on September 18, 2022.
Meanwhile on January 22 this year, the couple’s second daughter Athena was born several weeks prematurely weighing 4lb 5oz.
In a nod to the late Queen, their baby’s middle name is Elizabeth, making her full name Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi.
Edoardo also has son Christopher Woolf, known as Wolfie, from a previous relationship.
The couple enjoyed a day out at Royal Ascot last month[/caption]
The lovebirds puckered up for a kiss as they watched the racing[/caption]
ROYAL RINGS
Meanwhile, Kate and Prince William announced their engagement in 2010, with the royal proposing with his mother’s ring in Kenya.
At the time of its creation, the ring was worth £28,000, according to Marie Claire.
Vintage ring expert Sam Mee estimates that these days its value is more like £390,000.
Kate Middleton wearing late Princess Diana’s 12-carat sapphire engagement ring[/caption]
The ring is estimated to be worth an eye-watering amount, given its royal connections[/caption]
Prince Harry popped the question to Meghan Markle using stones from Princess Diana’s collection[/caption]
Prince Harry proposed in 2017 with a classic gold band set with three diamonds[/caption]
However, given the historical significance it now holds, some believe it is actually priceless.
For his proposal, Prince Harry used stones from Princess Diana’s collection to create a ring for Meghan Markle.
Prince Harry popped the question in 2017 with a classic gold band set with three diamonds, although Meghan later upgraded the ring to feature a diamond-studded band, valued at £150,000.
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice’s close bond
Over the years, the Queen‘s granddaughters have often spoken about their incredible bond and have previously described themselves as “each other’s rocks.”
Princess Beatrice was the first child born to the Duke and Duchess of York – Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson – back on August 8, 1988.
The Duchess gave birth at London’s Portland Hospital for Women and Children, and Beatrice’s full name was announced as Beatrice Elizabeth Mary almost two weeks later.
The couple – who divorced in 1996 – then welcomed Princess Eugenie, whose full name is Eugenie Victoria Helena, on March 23, 1990.
As a result of their close bond, it’s no surprise that back in 2018, as Eugenie made her way down to Windsor Castle for her royal nuptials, her maid of honour Beatrice was firmly by her side.
When asked about her maid of honour by TLC, Princess Eugenie said, “I can’t think of anyone I’d want by my side other than her.”
