Princess Beatrice has resurfaced at a glamorous Italian birthday celebration as speculation intensifies over whether she and Princess Eugenie will attend a major royal family wedding this weekend.
The 37-year-old princess, who has largely remained out of the spotlight in recent months, featured in a series of Instagram posts shared by close friend Lauren De Niro Pipher following a weekend gathering at the exclusive La Posta Vecchia Hotel in Palo Laziale.
Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 42, travelled to the luxury seaside resort to celebrate De Niro Pipher's 40th birthday alongside a group of international friends.
Photos from the festivities showed the mother-of-two smiling alongside guests, and in one wild moment, the princess even danced on tables during the celebrations.
For the occasion, Beatrice wore a silk dress by former British fashion label The Vampire's Wife before later changing into a floral Zimmermann frock reportedly worth around £1,000 (approximately AUD$1,800).
Reflecting on the gathering, De Niro Pipher wrote: "Friends joined from five countries. Some knew each other, many didn't. No drama, no early mornings, barely any phones except to capture moments. Just presence, great wine, pasta at every meal, and more laughter than I can account for."
The Italian getaway comes as attention remains fixed on the York sisters ahead of Peter Phillips' wedding to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling on Saturday.
Beatrice and Eugenie were reportedly expected to attend the ceremony, however recent reports suggest they may have withdrawn their RSVPs amid concerns their presence could draw attention away from the couple's big day due to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding their parents.
Last week, Thames Valley Police confirmed it was expanding its investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police are now examining potential sex and corruption offences, including allegations that the disgraced former prince behaved inappropriately towards a waitress at Royal Ascot in 2002.
Royal reporter Tom Sykes shared in his Substack that both Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who is expecting her third child, have been "mortified all over again" by last week's explosive report. He also noted that their attendance at the upcoming wedding is still uncertain and remains "a matter of speculation."
At the same time, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams believes the sisters likely received a "warning" from Buckingham Palace about attending, fearing their presence would dominate the headlines.
"Anything involving the Yorks will dominate the headlines. It is therefore no surprise that the sisters reportedly will not be attending Peter Phillips' wedding to Harriet Sperling," Fitzwilliams told the Express UK. "It will be a low-key, private royal wedding, but it will nonetheless be an event of significance as Peter Phillips is Princess Anne's son. Images of Eugenie and Beatrice would overshadow it. This may be unfair, but it reflects the reality that cannot be ignored."
Fitzwilliams added: "This is also more sensible for Beatrice and Eugenie, who have to walk a tightrope when in public, which no one would envy!"
According to Hello!, Peter and Harriet's wedding ceremony will take place at All Saints Church in Gloucestershire and is expected to be attended by several senior royals, before guests gather at Gatcombe Park, the country estate of Princess Anne. It is also understood Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were not invited to the wedding.
