The father of the bride gave a speech

Prince Andrew Honoured Princess Beatrice In Speech At Her Wedding Reception

Prince Andrew rose to the occasion with a speech on his eldest daughter's wedding day. The Duke of York reportedly spoke to honour Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi during the reception of their private wedding on July 17. Beatrice has supported her father amid his scandalous downfall, and wanted him to attend the ceremony and walk her down the aisle. Here's what we know about Andrew's involvement at Beatrice's wedding.

Prince Andrew had a busy schedule on daughter Princess Beatrice's wedding day. The father of the bride's duties, however, were conducted behind closed doors.

Early reports on Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi's private royal wedding did confirm that Prince Andrew walked his daughter down the aisle at the Royal Chapel of All Saints. But now, multiple reports have revealed that he also delivered a speech at the wedding reception at Royal Lodge.

Prince Andrew's wedding speech for Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

On Monday, Us Weekly was the first to confirm that Prince Andrew dedicated a speech to Beatrice and Edoardo during their wedding reception. His presence at the wedding was Beatrice's choice, too. "She wanted him at the wedding," a source told the outlet. "He walked her down the aisle and did a speech at the reception."

The exact contents of his speech are unknown. But a source has now confirmed with People that Andrew's tribute came at the outdoor reception held at Royal Lodge after the ceremony. He spoke "in honor of his daughter's union," the outlet revealed.

Princess Eugenie Shares Heartfelt Message To Princess Beatrice

"My beautiful big sister"

Princess Eugenie Shares Heartfelt Message For Newlywed Sister Princess Beatrice

Prince Andrew still supported by Royal Family amid scandal

The Royal Family has supported Prince Andrew amid his scandal surrounding connections to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual abuse. The royals appear to have conducted Beatrice's wedding in private to avoid controversy as well, seeing as Andrew hasn't made any official public appearances in months.

Furthermore, it was a conscious decision to keep Prince Andrew out of the publicly-released wedding photos. "The Queen and Bea agreed that it was best not to avoid creating more of a stir by releasing them to the public," Us Weekly's source added. Beatrice will keep those photos in "her personal collection."

And, despite the scandal attached to his name, Andrew once again made an impression at the wedding of one of his daughters. After Beatrice's ceremony, Princess Eugenie singled out her sister's walk down the aisle - with her father - as a highlight in her wedding tribute to Beatrice.

"What a complete joy and privilege to watch you, my beautiful big sister, walk down the aisle to dear Edo," Eugenie wrote on Instagram. Back in 2018, Prince Andrew also made a notable wedding speech to celebrate the union of Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. After the speech, he met his new son-in-law with an emotional embrace.

At this time, Buckingham Palace hasn't released wedding pictures showing any family members other than the Queen and Prince Philip. It now appears those featuring Prince Andrew will never reach the public's eyes.