Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi made a huge surprise when they tied the knot in secret at Windsor Castle. But, without fans knowing, they picked a very special day for the Royal Family to hold their wedding.
July 17 is a special anniversary in the history of the Royal Family. It marks the 103rd year that they assume the name of Windsor.
On the said date in 1917, King George V announced the Royal Family would stop using their German surname of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and start using Windsor in honor of the Berkshire castle, Express noted. There are beliefs that they chose to use Windsor as a sign of support to the British people amid the German attacks in London during World War I.
In his appearance on True Royal TV, royal expert Nick Bullen revealed that the Royal Family is called Windsor because of Windsor Castle. He added that they used to use a very German name because they were, in fact, German. George V's wife, Mary of Teck, was a German herself.
However, when a bomber came to London during WWI and bombed a school in the East End of London, it killed a lot of schoolchildren. The attacker was called the Gotha bomber, and the Royal Family was called Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. So, as the attack shook the very core of the family, they decided to use a more British-sounding name to show "solidarity to the people."
Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice and Mozzi surprised everyone with the announcement of their marriage. Only a handful of people attended the event, including Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip.
The ceremony occurred at the All Saints Chapel in Windsor Great Park, a few steps away from the Royal Lodge, where the York family lives. The Buckingham Palace confirmed the marriage indeed took place and released an official statement.
It said Princess Beatrice and Mozzi's private wedding happened at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 17. It was a small ceremony attended by her grandparents and close family members. It also assured that the wedding followed all the "relevant government guidelines."
The newly-wed couple has yet to drop their official wedding photos, as they don't want to overshadow Captain Tom Moore's investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. Hence, they are expected to release the snaps after the event.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were the only members of the Royal Family seen leaving the nuptials. They were spotted leaving Windsor Castle, where they have been isolating since the coronavirus lockdown began on March 19.
