Princess Beatrice is set to marry her fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020, after her British-Italian beau popped the question in September on a romantic getaway in Italy. Plans for the Princess’ nuptials have been the subject of debate recently, following Prince Andrew’s resignation from royal duties last week – with many calling for the wedding to be planned with minimal cost to the taxpayer. Previously, some royal experts had been questioning the scale of the royal wedding, as Mr Mapelli Mozzi has a son, Wolfie, from a previous relationship, which is still unorthodox in Royal Family terms.

However, some questions remain over the wedding, as many royal watchers have noticed that with his Italian heritage, Edo may have to face the historic royal bias against Catholicism. The question of Edo’s religion matters in this context, because there still remains some discrimination against Catholicism written into the laws governing royal marriages. Edo’s father, the British-Italian Alpine skier Conte Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi was born in Sottoriva, in the Vicenza region of northern Italy. The family’s ancestral seat is the Villa Mapelli Mozzi, situated north of Milan and a short distance from Lake Como in the historically Catholic nation.

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Beatrice and Edo spotted out and about in London this week

The villa, which dates back to 1770, remains the property of the Mapelli Mozzi family, and houses a collection of fine art and frescos. Edo’s father has the nominal title of Conte, or Count, however he cannot claim the title in the UK due to a law that prevents foreign nobility claiming titles without a special warrant. And, due to Italy’s tumultuous post-war history, which saw the country abolish the aristocracy, the hereditary title is not legally recognised there either. If Mr Mapelli Mozzi were Catholic, it would represent a crucial milestone for the Royal Family, as it would be the first time anyone in the line of succession has married someone of the Catholic faith without losing their succession rights. READ MORE: Princess Beatrice: Heartbreaking reason why Edo cannot take title

Beatrice and Edoardo at a wedidng together in Ocotber

Since the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act came into force, the monarch or anyone in line to the throne can marry a Catholic. This means that, even if Mr Mapelli Mozzi were Catholic, Beatrice would retain her claim to the throne after her scheduled marriage next year – but it would still be a landmark moment as she would be the first royal to enjoy the rights established under the Act. However, some discrimination does still remain in law, as anyone in line to the throne cannot covert to Catholicism themselves, and their children must be raised in the Anglican faith if they too are to retain succession rights. Previous to the 2013 Act, marrying a Catholic meant losing one’s place in the line of succession, as Prince Michael of Kent did in 1978 when he married Marie Christine von Reibniz, who became Princess Michael of Kent. DONT MISS

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Beatrice and Edo with the Duchess of York at Lady Gabriella Windsor's royal wedding this year

At the time, this represented a serious issue for the Royal Family and both Churches, with Pope Paul VI refusing to issue a dispensation for the marriage. However, the Duke of York’s office have told Express.co.uk that Mr Mappeli Mozzi is an Anglican, although details of his Anglican baptism were not confirmed. Added to this, Edoardo’s parents Alessandro and Nicola “Nikki” Burrows, now Williams-Ellis, were married in the Church of England. However, Beatrice and Edo may very well decide to go ahead with an Anglican baptism and confirmation for the groom before the royal wedding date.

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle chose to be confirmed – with Meghan also being baptised beforehand – before their big days, although both Duchesses had previously been raised as Christians, with Kate being christening in the Church of England as an infant. In the Church of England, only one partner of the wedded couple needs to be a member of the church in order to be married, so this step is not an absolute requirement. However, in the Royal Family, it is seen as a sign of respect to the Queen’s role as the head of the Church of England to become confirmed. Plus, as the Church recommends that couples take Communion together either during or shortly after the marriage ceremony, Edo will need to be confirmed in the Church if he and Beatrice are to take this step.

Princess Beatrice at Princess Eugenie's royal wedding last October

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