Princess Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi joined the royals at Sandringham in 2019 for Christmas – and it was all thanks to a tradition that was allowed to be broken for Meghan Markle

One of the highlights of the royal the Christmas is when the the Family head to Sandringham for their annual festive getaway.

King Charles and Queen Camilla as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children are expected to head to the Norfolk estate for the traditional royal Christmas of exchanging presents, attending church and a huge festive lunch. It’s not been confirmed yet which members of the Firm are due to attend – but among them may be the King’s niece Princess Beatrice, her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and their two-year-old daughter Sienna.

The couple married in an intimate wedding in July 2020 – meaning Edoardo now attends official royal events and gets the best seats in the house for celebrations. But in 2019, before they wed, he was invited to Christmas at Sandringham – even though tradition said he shouldn’t actually have been there.

Invites to the family’s private Sandringham celebrations are reserved for members of The Firm, and partners normally have to wait until they are married to join in. But Edoardo was given the rare privilege of joining the Christmas celebrations – despite not officially being part of the family.