Congratulations have flooded in for Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who announced this week that they are expecting their first child.
Meanwhile, social media users and royal experts label the move as “giving the finger” or “karma” or “sweet revenge” on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
In an official communication from Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II‘s official account on the anniversary of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding — it was announced that Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting a baby this fall.
Queen Elizabeth II has reportedly been informed of the news, and “both families” are “delighted,” according to the short statement.
Moments after the royal baby news broke, several beautiful pictures leaked online, where Princess Beatrice debuted her tiny baby bump.
A happy and pregnant Princess Beatrice accompanied by her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, stepped out and they were seen in London.
The mother-to-be, who was enjoying a delicious frozen yogurt, was casually dressed. She opted for a pink dress and a black jacket that she left open so she could show the bump.
Many social media users congratulated Princess Beatrice and Edoardo on their happy news, with some pointing out that it will be welcome news for the Queen who has suffered the loss of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip — who died last month at the age of 99.
It was also reported earlier this week that one of the Queen’s two new puppies — a gift from her son, Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice’s father — had died at just five months old.
The new baby will be one of two great-grandchildren, which the Queen is expecting this year — with her grandson, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan Markle, due to welcome a daughter this summer.
And possible names for Princess Beatrice’s baby have already been suggested by many on social media, with some calling for Philip or Philippa in tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh.
However, amid all the well wishes, other social media users called the announcement “karma” since it clashed with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s third wedding anniversary.
Some labeled it an “interesting coincidence” after Meghan Markle chose Beatrice’s sister, Princess Eugenie‘s wedding in 2018 to announce that she was expecting her son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
A few others opted to shame Princess Beatrice over her fashion sense.
A critic had this remark: “She looks so informal; I don’t like how she dresses, and her hairstyle awful!!!!” Another person wrote: “Omg….her style. ?”
This royal fan decided to defend the princess: “What is wrong with you…. she’s not at a royal or formal event. She is grabbing ice cream and living her private life? can’t stand women like you. ??”
Royal authors have claimed this was a “huge social gaffe” — even among those who are not royal — to steal a bride’s thunder on her wedding day.
Royal author Duncan Larcombe weighed in on the matter by saying: “The decision could be interpreted as a two fingers up at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. You have a relatively large window of opportunity to announce a pregnancy; an anniversary date is set in stone.”
Robert Jobson, royal author of Prince Philip’s Century, added: “It was a total dig at Harry and Meghan. They stole Eugenie’s thunder on her big day, after all, and it appears that has not been forgotten.”
He also claimed: “In life, timing is everything. And it seems that after Harry and Meghan stole the headlines and world attention by announcing that Meghan was pregnant with Harry, taking the limelight away from Princess Beatrice’s wedding, that she didn’t forget. Announcing her own pregnancy on the Sussexes’ third wedding anniversary may have been a coincidence, but I don’t think so. What goes around comes around.”
Observers say that the PR battle between Harry and the royal family will not end anytime soon.
