It’s been a big year of intense highs and lows for Princess Beatrice, and the royal has now seen out 2019 with a star-studded engagement party.
WATCH: Bea’s mum Sarah Ferguson spills the tea on the upcoming nuptials!
Bea announced back in September that she and her beau Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were preparing to tie the knot – and now, just a couple of months on, the pair have celebrated their upcoming nuptials with their nearest and dearest at London hotspot Chiltern Firehouse.
Ellie Goulding was just one of the many celebs who joined the loved-up pair for the evening, arriving with her husband Casper Jopling to enjoy a night of fine food and expensive champagne.
Obviously, Beatrice’s mum Sarah, Duchess of York was there, as was her sister Princess Eugenie, and Guy Pelly – Prince William and Harry’s best mate (and little Prince Louis’ godfather!). Actor Dexter Fletcher was also among the 30-strong party of revellers.
One person who didn’t show up for the shindig, however, was Bea’s dad, Prince Andrew.
According to The Sun, the royal is believed to have stayed away from the event for due to the ongoing controversy surrounding his connection to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and the sexual assault allegations against him.
“The plan was always for him to attend Beatrice’s engagement party alongside Fergie. But things have just turned far more toxic,” a source alleged to The Sun.
“He agreed that he didn’t want to overshadow the event, especially seeing lots of celebrities and high profile people will be there and it could have put them in a difficult position.
“People close to him where also in fear of embarrassment or abuse, which would have just been mortifying.”
The engagement and wedding prep has been a light in a dark time for Beatrice, who was said to be ‘devastated’ after her father’s fateful interview with the BBC concerning the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.
A source told The Daily Express she and Eugenie are “deeply distressed.”
According to the publication, both the girls had been keeping a low profile since Prince Andrew withdrew from his royal duties last month.
“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support,” he said in a statement.
“Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission. I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein.”
Beatrice and Edoardo announced their engagement just one month after the disgraced financier was found dead – ostensibly by suicide – in his jail cell.
Though the date for Beatrice and Edoardo’s wedding has yet to be announced, royal watchers insist 2020 will be the year, and peg early June as the likely month.
“We are extremely happy to be able to share the news of our recent engagement,” Bea and Edo shared of their news in September.
“We are both so excited to be embarking on this life adventure together and can’t wait to be married. We share so many similar interests and values and we know this will stand us in great stead for the years ahead, full of love and happiness.”
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