SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

British RoyalsCoronavirusRoyal WeddingsThe Yorks

Princess Beatrice’s wedding is off – Buckingham Palace officially confirms postponement

Princess Beatrice has officially cancelled her wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Queen’s granddaughter, 31, was set to marry the millionaire property tycoon, 37, at St James Palace with a reception to follow at The Queen’s gardens at Buckingham Palace.

In an exclusive interview with Royal Central earlier this month, Sarah, Duchess of York, Beatrice’s mother, confirmed first with Royal Central that her daughter’s nuptials had been postponed due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson for the couple told PEOPLE yesterday: “There are no plans to switch venues or hold a bigger wedding. They aren’t even thinking about their wedding at this time. There will come a time to rearrange, but that’s not yet.”

Buckingham Palace had previously confirmed the reception set for the palace was cancelled.

This comes after the latest move by the U.K. government. The nationwide lockdown is set to continue for at least three more weeks, ending 7 May. This extension is in addition to government guidelines that are telling residents to avoid gatherings outside of close family groups.

It’s believed that wedding invitations had not yet been sent out for the wedding due to COVID-19.

Previously, it had also been announced that the reception would no longer be taking place as the couple discussed a private ceremony with family and friends instead. As other royal weddings have seen carriage processions after the nuptials, the couple were not planning to have one as they wanted to keep the event more “low-key.”

The Church of England has said that the number of people attending church weddings during the outbreak should be limited to a legal minimum of five – the priest, bride and groom, and two witnesses.

As the granddaughter of a monarch, Beatrice would have been expected to wed in front of 800 guests at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle such as her sister, Princess Eugenie did.

Due to controversy over her father, the Duke of York, and his former relationship with financier Jeffrey Epstein, the Princess opted for a more low-key affair.

Princess Beatrice and Edo Mapelli Mozzi became engaged when on holiday to Italy last September.

About author

My name is Sydney Zatz and I am a University of Iowa graduate. I graduated with a degree in journalism and sports studies, and a minor in sport and recreation management. A highlight of my college career was getting the chance to study abroad in London and experiencing royal history firsthand. I have a passion for royals, royal history, and journalism, which led me to want to write for Royal Central.