Prince Harry's Plus One: Who Was His Date At Pippa Middleton's Wedding?

Prince Harry did bring a date to Pippa Middleton's wedding, but only to the reception. The date in question was Meghan Markle, who would later become his wife. Markle's absence from the ceremony was reportedly to avoid distracting from the bride's big day.

Meghan Markle skipped the ceremony

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's attendance at Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews in 2017 sparked a lot of interest, especially as it was their first appearance at an event with Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their children. However, Meghan Markle's absence from the ceremony caused quite a stir.

Despite rumours that the American actress would attend the wedding ceremony at St Mark's Englefield, Meghan Markle was notably missing. Prince Harry was seen entering the church alongside his brother, Prince William, without a date. This prompted speculation about the reason for Markle's absence, with some wondering if Pippa Middleton had enforced a "no ring, no bring" rule.

However, it was later revealed that the couple was simply trying to avoid attracting too much attention and ensure that the focus remained on the bride, Pippa Middleton. After the ceremony, Prince Harry drove back to London to pick up Markle, and they arrived at the reception together.

The "no ring, no bring" rule was reportedly considered by Pippa Middleton, which may have impacted Markle as she was not yet engaged to Prince Harry at the time. However, Pippa made an exception for the couple, and they both attended the wedding reception at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, England.

The seating plan at the reception also caused a stir, as Pippa chose not to follow a conventional seating chart. Instead, she implemented a rule that guests could not sit with their partners, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Despite this, their attendance at the wedding was seen as a significant step in their relationship and a clear endorsement of Markle's importance to Harry.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat separately

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have had a complicated relationship with the British royal family and the press. They stepped down as working royals in 2020 and moved to Meghan's native Southern California, citing security concerns and media scrutiny as reasons for their decision. They have since been involved in legal battles with the press, particularly regarding the privacy and safety of their family. Prince Harry has expressed fears for his family's safety, especially regarding the lack of police security provided to them in the UK. He has also mentioned that he feels his father, King Charles, is not supportive of his efforts to ensure his family's protection.

Despite their estrangement from the royal family and the media scrutiny they face, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to pursue their charitable endeavors and public engagements. They have established Archewell Inc., a mix of for-profit and not-for-profit business organizations, and have been involved in various charity work and advocacy initiatives. Meghan Markle, in particular, has been vocal on issues such as women's empowerment, racial justice, mental health, and gun control.

Markle's attendance was a relationship milestone

Markle's attendance at the wedding was a milestone in her relationship with Prince Harry for several reasons. Firstly, it was the first time Harry had invited Markle to an event with William and Kate and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Secondly, Markle's attendance broke the "no ring, no bring" rule that Pippa Middleton had reportedly set for her wedding. This rule meant that only spouses or fiancés could be invited to the wedding as dates. However, Pippa made an exception for Markle, who was still just a royal girlfriend at the time.

Markle's attendance also demonstrated the importance of her relationship with Prince Harry. The couple had only been dating for a year, but Markle's inclusion at such a high-profile event indicated that their relationship was becoming more serious. This was further emphasised by the fact that Harry was willing to drive three hours to and from London to have Markle as his date at the reception.

Furthermore, Markle's attendance at the wedding was notable because it was the second wedding she had attended with Harry in as many months. The couple had also recently been photographed kissing at a charity polo match, indicating that their relationship was progressing and that they were becoming more comfortable with public displays of affection.

Overall, Markle's attendance at Pippa Middleton's wedding was a significant milestone in her relationship with Prince Harry. It signalled the increasing seriousness of their relationship and the endorsement of Markle by the royal family.

Markle's attendance broke a no ring, no bring rule

Markle's attendance broke a "no ring, no bring" rule. This meant that guests could only bring a spouse or fiancé to the wedding as their plus-one. However, Pippa made an exception for Markle, who was still Prince Harry's girlfriend at the time.

Markle's absence from the ceremony was a deliberate decision to avoid attracting too much attention and taking the spotlight off the bride, Pippa Middleton. Prince Harry was reportedly displeased with this arrangement. After the ceremony, he drove for an hour and a half to London to pick up Markle, before driving another hour and a half back to the Middleton estate for the reception.

The couple's attendance at the wedding was particularly notable as it was the first time Prince Harry invited Markle to an event with his brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate, and their two children. This was also the second wedding the couple had attended together in as many months.

Despite the unusual rule, Pippa Middleton and her husband, James Matthews, had an intimate high-society wedding with only 150 guests in attendance. The guest list included Princess Charlotte and Prince George, who were part of the bridal party.

Prince Harry drove to London to collect Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship began in mid-2016. They connected via Instagram and were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend in July 2016. Their relationship was made public by the press in October 2016.

In May 2017, Markle reportedly arrived in London, driving straight to Kensington Palace. Three days before Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews, Markle indulged in a $325 facial treatment at a London spa. However, she was notably absent from the ceremony, which took place on 20 May 2017.

Prince Harry attended the wedding without a date, alongside his brother, Prince William. After the ceremony, Harry drove for an hour and a half back to London to pick up Markle, before driving another hour and a half to the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, England, for the reception. The couple's joint attendance at the reception was considered a grand entrance for Markle.

The couple's relationship continued to make headlines, with the press intrusion becoming so intense that Harry released a statement expressing personal concern about pejorative and false comments made about Markle. In September 2017, they made their first public appearance together at the Invictus Games in Toronto. Their engagement was announced on 27 November 2017, with the wedding taking place on 19 May 2018.

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