Duchess of York shares joy over Princess Beatrice's engagement: 'It's just extraordinary'

The Duchess of York has expressed her excitement over the news of her eldest daughter Beatrice’s engagement to partner Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

During a red carpet photo call at the British Film Institute, Sarah Ferguson said: “It’s just extraordinary, she’s just such a beauty and to see her eyes shining…”

The mother-of-two also took the opportunity to open up about her relationship with her future-son-in-law, who she lovingly refers to as ‘Edo’.

“I’ve known him all my life. His brother is my godson,” she revealed. “I’m so proud, and I’ve known Edo since he was four, and he’s got a lovely mum.

“It’s really, really good news.”

News of the couple’s engagement broke on September 26 when Princess Beatrice’s father, Prince Andrew, released a statement on Twitter via the official Buckingham Palace account.

The high-profile couple, who first started dating in autumn 2018, became engaged during a romantic trip to Italy earlier this month.

Her property developer fiancé got down on one knee with a ‘£100,000’ platinum and diamond engagement ring which is a fusion of Victorian and Art Deco designs.

The royal wedding will take place in 2020 with rumour rife that the soon-to-be-newlyweds will tie the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor - where her sister, Princess Eugenie, famously wed Jack Brooksbank on October 12, 2018.

Two sets of touching photographs were released in celebration of the news and in a sweet gesture, Beatrice’s younger sister took the colourful shots during their recent Italian getaway.

READ MORE: Princess Beatrice’s £100,000 engagement ring was designed by fiancé

Though it’s not the first time Ferguson has spoken of her joy over the engagement.

The 59-year-old took to Twitter to write, “I know what a mother feels so I have tears of joy. I am so proud of this sensational news. Andrew and I are just the luckiest people ever to have two great sons in law.”

During her most recent interview, Ferguson also took the chance to speak candidly about Princess Eugenie’s star-studded nuptials at Windsor Castle.

READ MORE: Princess Beatrice wears Australian brand Zimmermann for engagement photos

“I’m really proud of them both,” she said. “And for mums out there, oh my God. I’ve never understood what it is to have tears of joy because I looked at mothers at weddings, I’m going ‘yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s good news’.”

Further details of the forthcoming royal wedding are expected to be released in due course.

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