They were obliged to have a very restrained wedding, with just 20 guests present – the late Queen Elizabeth among them – thanks to diktats about ‘social distancing’ during the Covid pandemic.
But, four years on, there’s no stopping Princess Beatrice, who celebrates her 36th birthday next week, and her 40-year-old husband, the devastatingly suave Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Barely has Beatrice – the younger of Prince Andrew’s daughters – been anointed as Britain’s ‘best dressed person’ by Tatler magazine than I can reveal that Edo is offering members of the public the chance to mimic the immensely sophisticated style which has become the trademark of Banda, the property company he established in 2009.
Four years on, there’s no stopping Princess Beatrice , who celebrates her 36th birthday next week, and her husband, the devastatingly suave Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi , 40 (pictured: at Cheltenham Racecourse in March)
Declaring that he’s turning ‘a long-held dream into reality’, Edo explains that anyone who visits Banda’s website will now be able to acquire some of the ‘numerous iconic pieces’ which characterise its work.
So, even if you don’t – or, perish the thought, can’t – afford a five-bedroom, £42million townhouse, with swimming pool and cinema, such as Edo recently unveiled in Chelsea, west London – you’ll have the chance ‘to infuse your properties with the distinctive essence of Banda’.
You might, for instance, begin with an item listed as ‘Tall Timber Plinth’ – a three-and-a-half foot piece of wood, costing £300, which ‘offers a stylish and stable bast for showcasing art pieces’.
One such art piece is given understandable prominence: a maquette – or model in miniature of a prospective, full-size sculpture – by Edo’s step-father, David Williams-Ellis, often described as the country’s leading figurative sculpture. It’s yours for £11,400.
Barely has Beatrice been anointed as Britain’s ‘best dressed person’ by Tatler magazine than I can reveal that Edo is offering the public the chance to mimic the immensely sophisticated style (pictured at Vogue World in September 2023)
For those who prefer abstract works, Edo has assembled a sweep of canvases, including one in acrylic by American artist Nicholas Szymanski. Measuring 16ins by 19ins, it’s priced £3,000 and is entitled ‘Humour’ – arguably just what’s needed before shelling out for a bunch of flowers, or, as Banda puts it, ‘The Everlasting Floral Installation…a bespoke arrangement of preserved flowers and foliage’, priced £7,500.
Needing to sit down after that? Try the set of eight ‘iconic Pierre Jeanneret Chairs’ – for £85,000, or if economising, ten Martin Eisler Caviuna Cane Dining Chairs for £70,000.
Beatrice – the ‘pinnacle of contemporary splendour’, says Tatler – could snap up a custom-made ‘love seat’ and footstool, for £7,500 – perfect, surely, for Royal Lodge, Windsor, the house Prince Andrew contentedly shares with his ex-wife, Fergie.
No need, of course, for Bea to dole out anything to Dara Huang, Edo’s former fiancée and mother of his son, Wolfie.
Dara, who’s recently spoken in favour of parading ‘around naked in your own space’, installed her architectural practice in the same Kensington building as Edo’s office some four years ago. Still brimming with ‘essence of Banda’, I’m sure.
Neighbours will see into my bedroom, wails Wossy
As Angela Rayner plans to force councils to meet ambitious new housing targets, she might need to have a word with Jonathan Ross.
The chat show host has criticised plans for the construction of 93 new properties near his holiday home.
Ross, 63, says some of the homes at the former Harrow House International College at Swanage, Dorset, would infringe his privacy at his £2 million farmhouse.
‘Building up the height of the current buildings would mean that our property would be directly overlooked,’ Ross wails. ‘We have bedrooms that face towards the proposed development and the loss of privacy would be very distressing and cause a great deal of stress.
‘We are also concerned about the change to the fabric of local life caused by so many new dwellings in the area and the direct impact on traffic and amenities.’
Jonathon Ross (pictured left in July) has criticised plans for the construction of 93 new properties near his holiday home
Jonathan Ross’ property in Swanage, Dorset
Holly’s not Gwyn the money yet
Holly Willoughby appears to be struggling to become the ‘new Gwyneth Paltrow’.
While the Hollywood star has enjoyed success with her company Goop, Holly’s own wellness and lifestyle brand, Wylde Moon, has just £1,885 in reserves – almost three years after it was set up.
Accounts reveal that although the company has assets of £585,633, it owes creditors £583,748, meaning it is only just staying in the black.
Selling exotic candles, ‘wax melts’ and ‘diffusers’, the brand has been compared to Goop.
Holly, who used to present ITV’s This Morning with Phillip Schofield, is prominent in the firm’s online marketing, posing on the website.
While the Hollywood star has enjoyed success with her company Goop, Holly’s own wellness and lifestyle brand, Wylde Moon, has just £1,885 in reserves – almost three years after it was set up (pictured last September at the National Television Awards at the O2)
Strictly Dianne waltzes off with television award
Two dancers left Strictly Come Dancing after complaints about their behaviour — and fellow professional Dianne Buswell takes a gentle approach with contestants.
‘I just try and make them feel as comfortable as possible and basically say, ‘I don’t want you to be perfect,’ ‘ the Australian, 35, tells me at the National Reality TV Awards in London, where she won the prize for Best Female Personality.
Her tender touch worked on social media star Joe Suggs, who became her romantic partner after waltzing with her in 2018.
She adds: ‘The minute they hear that you want them to have fun and enjoy themselves, I think they let themselves go a little bit more.
‘I’m not expecting them to be a professional dancer.’
Professional Dianne Buswell takes a gentle approach with contestants. ‘I just try and make them feel as comfortable as possible and basically say, ‘I don’t want you to be perfect’
Ed Miliband irritates Cabinet colleague
Ed Miliband irritates many voters – and seems to annoy Cabinet colleagues, too.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has barred the ex Labour leader from contacting her via social media because he bombarded her with complaints about catering on trains and planes.
‘I’ve had to block him. It was too much,’ Haigh admits.
Ed Miliband irritates many voters – and seems to annoy Cabinet colleagues, too
Livia Firth vows to fight on as eco firm closes
She’s the self-styled queen of ‘sustainability’, but Livia Firth has been unable to sustain her business, Eco-Age.
The ex-wife of Oscar winner Colin Firth says the consultancy, which advised on how companies could become more environmentally friendly, has been forced to close after it was targeted by criminals.
She does not disclose the nature of the incident, but says that the firm was unable to recover financially.
‘To have so much snatched away in such shocking circumstances creates an emotional vortex,’ she says.
‘But I also know we cannot really take the end of Eco Age as a defeat. The fight for a just, ecologically resilient planet built with love and care goes on .’
She’s the self-styled queen of ‘sustainability’, but Livia Firth has been unable to sustain her business, Eco-Age
Ellie Goulding ‘free’ after having affair in Costa Rica
Ellie Goulding is riding the crest of a wave. Having had an affair with surfing instructor Armando Perez in Costa Rica after the collapse of her four-year marriage to Eton-educated art dealer Caspar Jopling, the pop star, 37, is thrilled surfers are using her new single, Free, as the soundtrack to social media videos.
‘Any surfers reading this who follow me please, please, indulge me and use my song Free with your next video purely just for my own happiness,’ the singer urges online. ‘It will also be thoroughly spectacular.’
Ellie Goulding is riding the crest of a wave. Having had an affair with surfing instructor Armando Perez in Costa Rica
