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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, didn’t get along with Dave Clark, the ex-boyfriend of his cousin, Princess Beatrice of York. Learn why ahead. 

Prince William met Clark while on a study abroad program at the University of Edinburgh, though he graduated from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland where he met his future wife, Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge. Second in the line of succession, Prince William introduced Princess Beatrice to Clark at a birthday party hosted by Sean Brosnan, son of actor Pierce Brosnan, according to People. 

Why Prince William and Clark don’t get along 

Although Prince William introduced his cousin to Clark, the two men weren’t supposedly BFFs. It’s more likely they were friendly but never close friends. A source told the Daily Mail in 2015 (when Clark and Princess Beatrice were still a couple), Prince William wasn’t very fond of Clark. 

“William isn’t a huge fan of Dave. It’s fair to say that if Beatrice had asked the Queen for permission to marry Dave, and she in turn asked William privately for his view, she may not have been given a glowing report,” the source said. 

Princess Beatrice, Dave Clark
Princess Beatrice of York and Dave Clark. | David M. Benett/Getty Images

“The move in succession is fortunate for Dave and Beatrice in that respect,” they added, referencing the Succession of the Crown Act which requires only the first six people in the line of succession to ask Queen Elizabeth II for permission to marry. 

Born on May 2, 2015, Princess Charlotte, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s second child, pushed Princess Beatrice to seventh in the line of succession meaning if she would’ve married Clark permission wouldn’t have been required. 

The source further opened up about Prince William’s feelings about his cousin’s then-boyfriend. 

“Dave is a nice guy and he makes Beatrice happy, which is important. But William has always been wary of him,” they said, adding, “There is a clash of personalities.” 

Princess Beatrice and Dave Clark.
Princess Beatrice of York and Dave Clark. | Ricky Vigil M/GC Images

In 2016, Prince William no longer had to worry about clashing with Clark because the American businessman Princess Beatrice split after a 10-year relationship. A source told People the two wanted a break and that the split was “amicable and mutual.” 

Reports at the time suggested the couple may get back together and marry like Prince William and Middleton did after they broke up then reconnected before marrying in 2011. But that wasn’t the case for Princess Beatrice and Clark. Their breakup proved to be permanent with Clark getting married within two years. 

Other reports suggested it was tough for Princess Beatrice watching her younger sister, Princess Eugenie of York, get married before her but judging by photographs and video footage from the royal wedding, she appeared happy.

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Princess Beatrice of York and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. | David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Dom Perignon

Princess Beatrice has been with her current boyfriend, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, since at least Dec. 2018 when they attended their first public event together. They’ve since been spotted at a number of events together with Princess Beatrice sporting a Cartier bracelet with the letter “E” engraved on it in honor of her boyfriend, according to PopSugar.

Marriage rumors have been circulating but Princess Beatrice nor Mozzi have confirmed they’re walking down the aisle soon.

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