Sarah Ferguson could make feminist history at Princess Beatrice's wedding

Beatrice is engaged to marry property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

(Getty Images)

The Duchess of York could make history when her youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, weds property tycoon Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi next year.

If Princess Beatrice's wedding takes place in England, then the mother of the bride, Sarah Ferguson, could become the first royal mother to sign her name on a marriage certificate, having previously been a duty reserved for fathers.

In March, the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Bill, presented by Conservative politician Tim Loughton, was signed into law.

One of the measures put into legislation by the bill includes the “reform [of] how marriages are registered”.

“This will facilitate change to the register entry, both now and in the future, including a line for the inclusion of the mother in the marriage entry,” the bill’s explanatory notes outlined.

The document added that since 1837, marriage certificates in England and Wales have only included the names of the fathers of those being wed, not the mothers.

The bill received Royal Assent on 26 March, and came into force two months later.

Last month, it was announced that Princess Beatrice had become engaged to her partner of a year, Mr Mapelli Mozzi.

The couple are due to marry in 2020, although neither an exact date nor the location of the nuptials have been revealed.

The Duke and Duchess of York stated that they were “delighted” to announce the engagement of their daughter and future son-in-law last month.

The statement released by the parents of the bride added that Princess Beatrice and Mr Mapelli Mozzi became engaged while away in Italy in August.

A photograph of betrothed couple, which was taken in Italy by the royal’s sister, Princess Eugenie, was released following the announcement of their engagement.

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