Princess Beatrice ‘forced to sell’ hugely expensive gift from late Queen

When Princess Beatrice celebrated her 36th birthday, knew to expect some lavish gifts. Her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, is sure to spoil her with lovely presents, but none will compare to a special gift from her late grandmother, the Queen.

The Queen was known for spoiling her grandchildren, having gifted Prince William and Prince Harry beautiful homes on their wedding days. It appears that the monarch did the same for Beatrice and her younger sister, Princess Eugenie. In 1997, it’s believed that she purchased Birch Hall, a seven-bedroom Georgian mansion in Surrey, as a gift for the sisters who were only seven and nine at the time.

The impressive property features a tennis court, swimming pool, and a separate two-bedroom house on the five-acre site. It would have been an ideal home for the princesses and their mother, Sarah Ferguson. However, Beatrice and Eugenie never moved in, and the house remained vacant for two years.

This was reportedly due to Fergie refusing to move in, citing the high running and upkeep costs, according to the Mail. Consequently, two years after the Queen bought it, the property was sold, with estate agents attributing the sale to “due to a change of circumstance”.

According to reports, the funds were placed in a trust for the princesses to dip into once they grew up. Speaking of the property’s second sale, Andrew Russell from Strutt and Parker relayed to the Mail: “It is probably one of the very best of north Surrey’s village houses, there’s not many that come on the market.”

“The house itself is a very attractive and imposing-looking property. Some of the rooms are really quite dramatic, with high ceilings and full floor-to-ceiling sash windows. The owners bought it from the trustees acting for the Queen in 1999.”

“The trustees bought it in 1997 for the princesses and I imagine it was chosen because it’s a pretty house in a popular village and the gardens are a real draw, it’s more like parkland. But they never moved in.”

Though this isn’t the only Royal gift Beatrice received. As the Queen’s fifth grandchild, she’s been bestowed with generosity on more than this occasion.

For her July 2020 nuptials to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, which were modest due to Covid restrictions, the late Prince Philip and the Queen were in attendance. Beatrice donned an outfit from the Queen’s personal collection for the special day.

Designed by Norman Hartnell, the gown had graced several prestigious events in the 60s, worn by the Queen herself. Topping off her bridal look, Beatrice borrowed the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiarathe very diadem the Queen wore when she walked down the aisle.

Royal writer Penny Junor commented on the Queen’s gesture, saying: “It’s really touching that the Queen showed such solidarity with her, especially with the tiara that she herself was married in speaks volumes. I think it shows how fond her grandparents are of her, it’s really heartwarming.”

Meanwhile, the Buckingham Palace revealed the birth of Beatrice’s second baby. “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together in early spring; a sibling for Wolfie, aged eight, and Sienna, aged three,” the statement from the palace read.

“His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news,” it continued.