I had completely forgotten about this story, but I find it even more relevant now, more than three years after the fact. Do you remember in December 2016, there was SO much conversation about how Prince Andrew was trying to convince his mother that no matter who his daughters married, those men definitely needed a title? The suggestion was that a man marrying a “blood princess” should at least be given an earldom for their trouble. It was part of the narrative that Andrew would often go behind Charles’ back and sweet-talk his mother into sh-t. In any case, it didn’t work for Princess Eugenie – she married Jack Brooksbank and no one knows if the Queen even offered him a title (I don’t think she did). But what about Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi? Will he get a title? Turns out, he already has one. Which means Beatrice will become a contessa??
She’s already royalty, but Princess Beatrice will soon add more titles to her name. Queen Elizabeth‘s granddaughter will marry Italian financier Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on May 29, and she’s gaining more than a husband and a stepson. Because Edoardo descends from Italian aristocracy, Princess Beatrice will be an Italian “Contessa” and “Nobile Donna,” or noble woman, following their wedding.
Edoardo’s father is Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, and as his oldest son, Edoardo will inherit the family’s ancestral seat, the 18th century Villa Mapelli Mozzi palace in northern Italy.
“Edoardo is the only male descendent taking the family into the next generation,” the groom-to-be’s father told The Daily Mail. “He is a count — his wife will be a countess automatically and any of their children will be counts or nobile donna.”
Alessandro added that Edoardo, 36, and Beatrice, 31, are “very suited to each other.”
“I’ve never seen him so happy,” the proud dad said.
This reminds me of two things simultaneously: one, on Downton Abbey, Lady Edith fell in love with some rando and through the right sequence of events, the rando inherited a title and a vast estate and Edith became the daughter who “married well” (and not to some distant cousin either). The second thing it reminds me of is Pippa Middleton and Terribly Moderately Wealthy James Matthews, and how James’ family basically bought a random title as a two-for-one deal with a Scottish estate. So Pippa gets a “title” at some point too. Anyway, I didn’t actually know that Beatrice would end up a contessa and Nobile Donna, so that’s interesting. Again… what’s going on with Edo? I feel like… there really hasn’t been enough examination of his background and personality.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Instagram.
“Terribly Moderately Wealthy James Matthews” is still one of my favorite nicknames to come from this site.
I apparently missed that his father was a count. I knew they were well to do, but I didn’t realize she would get a title for marrying him. That’s interesting.
I could have a wrong instinct here, but I weirdly get a decent vibe with this relationship. I don’t think he’s super out of her league or anything, and they seem happy together. Hopefully they are.
I hope that when Bea & Edo marry they move to that beautiful Northern Italy estate and get away from the toxic BRF. I wish Bea & Edo all the luck in the world and look forward to the special TV program that I am sure some Yank television network will do on their wedding.
If British TV isn’t interested in their wedding why would American TV care? Unless it’s to bring in the Andy/FBI angle which I’m sure Bea would not want. Good luck to Bea though, hopefully the press will let her enjoy her marriage in peace.
Edo doesn’t have a great relationship with his birth father. He was born and raised in the UK and thinks of his late step dad as his real dad. So, I don’t see either of them moving to Italy any time soon. I also doubt either wants to get away from the BRF because I doubt they see it as toxic. Edo’s step dad was really good friends with Andrew and Fergie. He was just as shady as they are. So, I think Bea and Edo had similar upbringings. When you come from the shadiest part of the family tree, everything else looks normal by comparison.
She doesn’t actually get the title until his dad dies–if they’re still married by then.
Italy did away with idea of nobility in 1946. These “titles” are not official. Same with Greece (so Prince Philip is not a “Prince” of Greece because those don’t exist anymore). But, whatever, these snobs will continue to give themselves whatever titles they want, and hope the masses don’t know the difference. In fact, everyone in Italy should feel free to call themselves “Count” or “Prince” or whatever they want, since these titles aren’t recognized or regulated anymore.
I think everyone everywhere should make up titles for themselves as the whim arises. And pin bobbles on ribbons and wear them with conviction.
I do too, Erinn, get a decent vibe. I think he looks kind. And despite he and Dara not working out, they seem to have tried to make the best of it for their little boy.
Am I the only one whose gaydar pings hard for this guy?
I’m with you on this
Edoardo’s family lineage goes Jack to the 1000. It is one of the oldest aristocratic families in Italy. They come from Lombardy near Milan. His father competed for Britain in the 1972 skiing Olympics but he’s based in Italy. His mother remarried many years ago into English aristocracy.
I tend to agree with your assessment, @Erinn. Edo seems genuinely kind, and he’s seemingly truly in love with Beatrice.
Plus, I’ve read about Edo’s real estate exploits. He’s definitely talented, knowledgeable and successful in his work as a property developer. He’s accomplished a lot in that arena, on his own steam.
I sincerely think Beatrice could be quite happy living life as a contessa in an 18th century Italian villa. It would give her some distance from Pedodad and the British tabloids and she wouldn’t have to keep pretending to have a job.
“ Again… what’s going on with Edo? I feel like… there really hasn’t been enough examination of his background and personality.”
Cause no one cares.
He’s rather a ridiculously good-looking man.
I don’t think he’s that good looking but is clean, dresses well, with a nice full head of hair, which is a nice contrast to the men in her own family. He looks like a little guy who’ll get a belly in middle age. I hope he influences her style choices because Beatrice has very questionable fashion instincts.However, I think she has a nice curvy figure so don’t know why she dresses so frumpy.
This is just so dumb. Like really really dumb. These silly people get to feel self-important because they have some made up title attached to their name. They should consider building their self-worth and self-esteem through their actions not these meaningless showy fake accolades.
It kinda seems like you care about their titles at least as much as they too lol
Commenting on the internet is not an expression of great caring. The beaver eyed princess almost certainly cares more about her titles tha the rest of us.
Do these people shite diamonds too? Ugh!
Edo’s title isn’t real. The Italian government got rid of all the titles when they ousted the monarchy. Italian aristocracts use their titles socially which is sad. Clinging to a past where it actually meant something. There are a bunch of other “aristocrats” in the rest of continental Europe who do this too. They are the only ones that care, but they still marry amongst themselves like it matters. I’d prefer to just buy a Scottish estate that came with a title. At least then it’s a legal title, even if all it means is that you own that particular estate.
I’m sorry, I didn’t see your post before I posted the same thing above. Yes, “sad” is the correct word. Seems like they have a need to portray some type of superiority over others to feel good about themselves, to the point where they even use titles that don’t exist anymore. They can’t move on, because without the (fake) title people would see that they are nothing special.
Is his title legal? The only reason I ask that because BP don’t use it in any of the statements. If his title was legal, wouldn’t they use it?
It’s not Edo’s title, his dad is the one with the title. Edo doesn’t get the title until dear ol’ dad kicks the bucket. He’s the Future Count Mapelli Mozzi.
Italy stopped recognizing these titles in 1946. So no, it’s not a “legal” title because it is not recognized by the government. But it’s not “illegal” either, because it is not regulated by the government. They can call themselves whatever they want, with zero legal effect.
So her mouth is just always open, right?
Maybe it won’t close.
Apparently Bea hasn’t yet met Edoardo’s father.
Guess meeting the parents only matters when it comes to Meghan and Harry
Ding ding ding ding ding! I just hope that this Dad starts giving really embarrassing interviews too! Better yet, have him just not even show up at the wedding.
His father also saw the need to reassure everyone that only the children with Beatrice will have titles and of course their son will inherit everything one day, as Wolfe was born out of wedlock. This is so disgusting all around
The Mozz is….. the Duke of Earl!!! Now I can’t get that song out of my head…. I might just think if it every time I see him here on Celebitchy! Duke duke duke duke of earl duke duke……….
They are not going to look into Edo anymore than they want to because they want to marry Beatrice off. That is it. Dave Clark marrying and starting a family so soon after his breakup with Bea took the wind out of everyone’s sails.
Good for Bea! I do really hope that she is happy and that her and Edo have a nice life. But the fact that his parents are good friends with her parents? Hmmmmm. Grifters/crooks seem to find each other. . .
I will give props to Bea for wearing those high slingbacks on cobblestones and not face planting, because I”m not sure I could do it.
The Countess of Monte Crisco. Just popped in my head for some reason. Any whhhhhy black slingback with pastels?????
For me it was barefoot contessa…
Ok, this is nasty but I just looked on google earth and Villa Mapelli Mozzi needs work. It has factories around it. Mmmm I’m thinking that place will be a money pit.
I tend to agree with your assessment, @Erinn. Edo seems genuinely kind, and he’s seemingly truly in love with Beatrice.
Plus, I’ve read about Edo’s real estate exploits. He’s definitely talented, knowledgeable and successful in his work as a property developer. He’s accomplished a lot in that arena, on his own steam.