Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi quashed any rumours of a split with Princess Beatrice on her 38th birthday yesterday, posting an affectionate tribute on Instagram alongside a collection of personal selfies.
"Happy Birthday to my phenomenal, beautiful wife. We love you so much. You make our world," the 42-year-old property developer wrote.
The message was signed off "Love E,W,S,A xxxx" - the initials representing Edo himself, his ten-year-old son Wolfie, from another relationship, and the couple's two daughters, four-year-old Sienna and Athena, who is one.
Three hearts and Beatrice's distinctive birth date of 8.8.88 completed the post.
The display of devotion arrived after weeks of intensifying speculation about the state of the couple's six-year marriage.
Reports suggested they had been spending periods apart as Edoardo's business commitments took him overseas. Speculation also grew that the Jeffrey Epstein scandals engulfing Beatrice's parents had driven a wedge between husband and wife.
Yet Edoardo recently took to a rare public question-and-answer meeting, where he defiantly stated his "biggest luxury" was his family, adding that relaxation comes down to "time with family and friends."
Their public appearances have reinforced that message. In July, the pair attended the wedding of Harriet and Peter Phillips together, joining senior royals and appearing visibly at ease with one another. They also recently shared a selfie from a holiday in Greece.
For her birthday this year, Beatrice continues to "keep a low profile," royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News, adding: "I would have thought there would be no change."
He described the current moment as "a very sensitive time" for Beatrice and her sister Princess Eugenie, noting that "their parents are in public disgrace" and that, as royals who carry out no official duties, "it is a time to approach things with great care."
An insider also told The Sun that celebrations for the 38-year-old will remain "remarkably low-key".
LATEST ROYAL NEWS
- Andrew 'still in line for full royal ceremonial funeral' despite being stripped of titles
- Meghan Markle gives special nod to Princess Diana in anniversary celebration with Harry
- Prince Harry weighs in after Meta fined $567m: 'It's what accountability looks like!'
The contrast with Beatrice's earlier birthday celebrations could scarcely be starker. Her 18th, held in the grounds of Windsor Castle, was a lavish Victorian-themed affair costing an estimated £400,000, bankrolled by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
A £10,000 gown was flown across the Atlantic from New York for the occasion. Some 500 guests danced until 3am.
Even in infancy, celebrations were extravagant - a Hello feature marking her second birthday generated £2million, while her third saw a three-hour fancy dress party. Her 28th was spent with friends in the Hamptons.
Adding to the pressures facing the York family, it emerged overnight that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor still features on a confidential government list of royals entitled to a ceremonial funeral - despite King Charles having stripped him of his official titles last year.
Senior government sources told the Mail on Sunday that the former Duke of York has not been removed from the confidential list maintained for members of the Royal Family expected to receive high-profile send-offs.
Mr Fitzwilliams told the People's Channel the plans were "preposterous", while Alicia Kearns, the Conservative shadow Home Office minister, demanded the arrangements "be revoked immediately."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
