Prince Andrew Missed Granddaughter's First Weeks While Staying at 50,000-Acre Estate amid Legal Battle

Prince Andrew is the father of two children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. His eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, announced she got engaged in 2019, but the exciting news was smeared by the controversy surrounding him.

In November 2019, Prince Andrew's first child, Princess Beatrice, revealed that she and multi-millionaire Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were engaged. The lovebirds had not set a date for their big day, hinting that they would walk down the aisle the following year.

After eleven months of dating, the princess announced her engagement to the property developer. There were fears that the wedding might not go ahead as planned during that period. Sources revealed to The Sun that the bride-to-be's father had been involved in a sex scandal that could overshadow her big moment.

Prince Andrew was accused of having had intercourse with Virginia Roberts in 2001 after crossing paths in Tramps nightclub in London. However, the royal refuted the claims, stating that he was at a Pizza Express with his daughter Princess Beatrice.

After his infamous appearance on BBC's "Newsnight," Prince Andrew added more speculation regarding his involvement in the scandal. Many feared that his child's wedding ceremony could result in "collateral damage."

A royal expert at the time, Marlene Koenig, revealed that it would not come as a surprise if Princess Beatrice and her fiancé would do away with a big wedding and opt for a private ceremony instead:

"I will not be surprised if she has a rather quiet wedding, out of the public eye, with a few photos, no live coverage."

Meanwhile, the Duke of York's friends had revealed that part of his efforts to speak out on the incident on television was to be able to walk his daughter down the aisle with pride.

As was his desire, Prince Andrew gave his daughter away on her wedding day, which went smoothly. Though before the event, it was unclear whether he would be able to walk Beatrice down the aisle.

As experts predicted, Beatrice and Mapelli Mozzi did have a private ceremony with only 20 guests in attendance, including her grandmother, the Queen, and grandfather, Prince Philip.

The number of limited guests was because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The couple wed in July 2020. They were due to marry at the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace in London in front of 150 people two months before.

However, the pair settled for a more intimate ceremony with strict social distancing measures in place. Buckingham Palace revealed at the time, adding close family witnessed the nuptials in Windsor.

Shortly after exchanging their vows, Beatrice and Mapelli Mozzi had a small reception and a sit-down meal at her parents' home. The lovebirds got hitched in front of close family and friends in All Saints Chapel, Windsor Great Park.

The Sun revealed that Beatrice spent the night before the wedding with her mother, Sarah Ferguson, and father, Prince Andrew, at the 30-room Royal Lodge before walking to the church on the big day.

Beatrice's younger sister, Princess Eugenie, and brother-in-law, Jack Brooksbank, attended her wedding. The nuptials came at an inopportune time for the Royal Family as the Duke of York was forced to step back from royal duties over his link to Epstein.

Notably, there were no plans to televise the wedding even before the pandemic, mainly because of the backlash caused by the BBC interview on the scandal.

BEATRICE FELL PREGNANT SOON AFTER THE WEDDING

Nonetheless, soon after the wedding, the Royal Family announced on social media that Beatrice and her newly-wedded husband, Mapelli Mozzi were pregnant. Along with the rest of the Royal Family, the Queen was thrilled about the baby news. Writing:

"Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting a baby in autumn of this year."

Princess Beatrice welcomed her first and only child in 2021. The Duke of York was absent for the birth of his grandchild. A source revealed that he was well aware that the accusations against him tarnished the special moment:

"He is very much aware the accusations against him ruined Beatrice’s special moment."

Regardless, Prince Andrew stands by his word and has vehemently denied what Roberts accused him of. She disclosed that he and Maxwell once stayed at the royal's Scottish estate with Roberts.

This was the exact property that he and his ex-wife went to in Balmoral for him to avoid US lawyers. However, when their daughter gave birth, Ferguson left the Duke and rushed to the London hospital.

However, Prince Andrew remained on the 50,000-acre estate and US lawyers were unable to serve his lawsuit. It was eventually served in America.

The Duke of York returned to Windsor only two weeks after the birth of his granddaughter. Beatrice could not even officially announce the name of her child.

The Royal Family announced on their website that Beatrice and Mapelli Mozzi welcomed their daughter on September 18, 2021, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Her sister, Eugenie, congratulated the couple on Instagram, writing:

"To my dearest Beabea and Edo, congratulations on your new angel. I can't wait to meet her, and I'm so proud of you. We're going to have so much fun watching our children grow up. Love Euge."

Prince Andrew missed his granddaughter, Sienna's, birth because of his efforts to avoid appearing in public during the difficult time.

Once Prince Andrew had met the baby, her name was allowed to be announced on social media. A source noted how bizarre it was that he had to wait weeks to see Sienna, saying:

"It is quite something that he had to wait almost two weeks before he met her."

PRINCE ANDREW MANAGED TO ATTEND SIENNA'S CHRISTENING

Though he was absent for the birth, the Duke was present for Sienna's christening, making it his second public appearance after the trial. He arrived in a Bentley with a 'DOY' plate that seemed to send a message to York councilors who stripped him. The royal purchased the car in 2021 and put the 'DOY' personalized license plate on it.

Nonetheless, many friends of Beatrice and Mapelli Mozzi joined the ceremony held at Chapel Royal. An insider revealed it was a private family event. However, the Queen was not there, holding two virtual meetings from Windsor Castle. Her son was last seen in public a month prior when he assisted her into Westminster Abbey at a memorial service to celebrate his late father, Prince Philip.