If Princess Beatrice and her fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi go ahead with their marriage ceremony, they will only be able to have two guests (Picture: EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON)

An unexpected impact of the coronavirus pandemic: Princess Beatrice might only be able to have two guests at her royal wedding should the crisis continue.

The Church of England has said that the number of people attending church weddings during the outbreak should be limited to the legal minimum of five people – the priest, the bride and groom, and two witnesses.

Beatrice and her fiance, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, planned to get married on 29 May. If the coronavirus pandemic continues, they will need to adjust their wedding plans to have a private ceremony with just two guests – so her parents could come, but her sister Princess Eugenie wouldn’t be able to join as well.



Beatrice had already decided to put her reception on hold, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson revealed.


But there has been no confirmation yet on whether the marriage ceremony will still take place.

The Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: ‘Beatrice and Mr Mapelli Mozzi are very much looking forward to getting married but are equally aware of the need to avoid undertaking any unnecessary risks in the current circumstances.

‘In line with government advice for the UK and beyond, the couple are reviewing their arrangements.

‘They are particularly conscious of government advice in relation to both the wellbeing of older family members and large gatherings of people.

The couple were due to marry on 29 May (Picture: PA)

‘Therefore, the planned reception in the Buckingham Palace Gardens will not take place.

‘The couple will carefully consider government advice before deciding whether a private marriage might take place amongst a small group of family and friends.’

Beatrice and Edoardo join the many couples facing challenges to their wedding plans this spring and summer.

Couples have been advised to have private ceremonies and live-stream receptions instead.

The princess, 31, became engaged on a weekend trip to Italy last September, and the couple said they could not wait to be married.

Beatrice, daughter of the Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York became engaged to Edoardo on a weekend trip to Italy last September. The couple said they could not wait to be married.

The couple planned to tie the knot in the Chapel Royal of St James’s Palace in London with 150 guests, followed by a reception in the grounds of The Queen’s London residence.

Read the latest updates: Coronavirus news live