George Boyle
Queen Elizabeth's attendance at weddings has been a topic of interest for many. While she attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, she was adamant about not attending King Charles and Queen Camilla's civil wedding ceremony in 2005. In a surprising turn of events, Queen Elizabeth also attended the wedding of Frances and John Canning at Manchester Town Hall, congratulating the newlyweds and leaving the couple stunned.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 15, 2019 |
| Event | Queen Elizabeth's attendance at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding |
| Location | St. George's Chapel |
| Royal Protocol | The Queen arrived before the bride, an exception to the rule that she arrives last |
| Royal Protocol | The seat in front of the Queen was left empty, as per tradition |
| Royal Dining Etiquette | It is an unspoken rule that once the Queen takes her last bite, so has everyone else |
| Date | April 9, 2005 |
| Event | Queen Elizabeth did not attend King Charles and Queen Camilla's civil wedding ceremony |
| Location | Windsor Castle |
| Attendees | The civil ceremony was attended by other important guests |
| Couple's Background | King Charles and Queen Camilla's relationship began as an affair during Charles' marriage to Princess Diana |
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What You'll Learn
Queen Elizabeth attends Prince Harry's wedding
Queen Elizabeth attended her grandson Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, arrived just before Meghan, as is customary for weddings. The Queen wore a vibrant, electric shade, as is customary for her.
The wedding ceremony was followed by two receptions. The first, a lunchtime gathering, was hosted by the Queen for 600 guests from the wedding congregation. The guests were served Pol Roger Champagne, canapes, and bowl food before speeches from Prince Charles and Prince Harry. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex cut their wedding cake, a lemon and elderflower sponge by Claire Ptak, at this reception.
The second reception was hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House on the castle grounds. Around 200 guests attended the private reception, which was also expected to feature special musical guests.
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Queen Elizabeth declines King Charles' wedding
Queen Elizabeth was “absolutely adamant” that she would not attend the civil wedding ceremony of King Charles and Queen Camilla, which took place on April 9, 2005. The couple's longtime affair while Charles was married to Princess Diana made the public view of Camilla less than favourable. Due to their divorce at the time, the couple was unable to have a traditional church wedding and instead opted for a civil service followed by a church blessing at Windsor Castle.
The Queen's absence at the civil ceremony was not the only notable detail about the wedding. The couple also had a larger church wedding at St. George's Chapel on the same day. While the specific reason for Queen Elizabeth's absence from the civil ceremony is not publicly known, it is clear that she chose not to attend. This decision may have been influenced by the circumstances surrounding the couple's relationship or other factors known only to the Queen herself.
Queen Elizabeth's attendance at weddings has been a topic of interest, with her presence often bringing surprise and delight. For example, at the wedding of Frances and John Canning at Manchester Town Hall in 2014, the Queen made an unexpected appearance as a guest of honour. The couple had initially been informed that they would be sharing the venue with a VIP and later discovered it was the Queen. They wrote a lighthearted letter inviting her to their wedding and were stunned when she arrived to congratulate them.
The Queen's biographer, Robert Hardman, once quoted her as saying, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am." This preference for vibrant colours was also on display at her grandson Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle. While wearing an electric shade might be seen as trying to steal focus from the bride, the Queen's colourful wardrobe choices are well-known and expected.
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Queen attends a wedding in Manchester
The Queen is known for her vibrant wardrobe and her attendance at various weddings. In 2014, Her Majesty accepted the invitation of a couple, Frances and John Canning, to their wedding in Manchester Town Hall. The couple, from Prestwich, were overjoyed to receive a reply from the Palace and were stunned by the Queen's presence. The Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, arrived at the town hall, greeting the bride Frances by name and surprising the couple's 40 guests.
The Queen's attendance at the wedding in Manchester was a memorable moment for the couple and their guests. The groom, John, shared his enthusiasm for the Royal Family and expressed his surprise at the Queen's appearance. He recalled how the Queen and Prince Philip congratulated them and enquired about their honeymoon plans, indicating that they had been briefed about their itinerary.
The bride, Frances, who runs a hairdressing salon, was equally amazed to be addressed by name by the Queen. The couple's friend, Peter Jackson, a self-employed businessman, recalled the security checks in advance, although they had no idea the Queen would be attending the reception. Another guest, Hayley Fitzpatrick, described her surprise at seeing the Queen and Prince Philip, knocking something over in her astonishment.
The Queen's attendance at the wedding in Manchester Town Hall was a significant honour for the couple and their guests. Her presence added a royal touch to the ceremony, and her interaction with the newlyweds and guests left a lasting impression. The Queen's attendance at weddings, including that of her grandson Prince Harry, showcases her support for her family and the British public.
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Royal dining etiquette surrounding the Queen
Dining with the British royal family comes with a set of strict rules and traditions, especially when the Queen is hosting. Here are some of the dining etiquette protocols observed when dining with the Queen:
Seating and Entering the Dining Room
The Queen decides who sits where, and she will be seated next to someone with whom she intends to have a purposeful conversation. The seating arrangement follows a specific order of precedence, which is the hierarchy of ascendancy to the throne. The Queen enters the dining room first, followed by other members of the royal family in order of their rank.
Conversation
The Queen plans her conversations in advance. During the first course, she converses with the person seated to her right, and during the second course, she turns to the person on her left. The other guests follow her lead, and the conversation flows to each person's left and right, rarely across the table. It is considered rude to shout across the table to address the Queen. Guests are expected to wait for the Queen to initiate the conversation and should avoid asking personal or probing questions.
Dress Code
The royal family dresses formally for dinner. Men typically wear trousers and coats, while women wear dresses and stockings. Other guidelines, such as wearing modest necklines and having hair worn up, also apply.
Table Manners
The Queen previews and approves all meals for the week. Garlic is banned from the royal table as the Queen reportedly loathes it, and it is considered poor manners to have unpleasant breath. Tricky foods that may lead to awkward photos or make guests uncomfortable are also avoided. When eating, the knife is held in the right hand, and the fork in the left, with the knife being used to scoop food onto the fork. Utensils should never be allowed to squeak against the plate. It is considered rude to lick your fingers, and even burgers must be eaten with a fork and knife.
Napkin Etiquette
Napkins are placed on the lap shortly after taking the seat, folded in half with the crease facing away from the diner. The napkin should not be returned to the table or plate unless one has finished eating, as it signals that one is done with the meal. When finished, the napkin is placed in a neat heap on the left-hand side of the setting.
Tea Etiquette
When drinking tea, the teacup is held by pinching the thumb and index finger together around the handle, with the middle finger supporting the handle from below. The little finger should not be stuck out, and the cup should not be turned around while drinking, especially for those wearing lipstick, to avoid multiple lipstick marks on the vessel. After each sip, the teacup is placed back on the saucer.
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The Queen's vibrant wedding attire
Queen Elizabeth is known for her vibrant wedding attire. When she attended the wedding of her grandson, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle, she wore an electric shade, a colour choice that is typical for the Queen. In fact, she once joked, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am".
The Queen's vibrant attire is a notable aspect of her public appearances, and her wedding ensembles are no exception. While she typically stands out with her colourful choices, there was one notable occasion when she was "absolutely adamant" about not attending: the civil wedding ceremony of King Charles and Queen Camilla in 2005. The reason for her absence was speculated to be related to the couple's history, as their relationship began while Charles was still married to Princess Diana.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Queen attended her grandson Prince Harry's wedding.
No, Queen Elizabeth was "adamant" about not attending the civil wedding ceremony of King Charles and Queen Camilla in 2005.
Yes, the Queen surprised the couple by arriving at Manchester Town Hall as a guest of honour.
