Sending Wedding Invites To Royalty: The Queen's Edition

It is possible to invite the Queen to your wedding, and while it is unlikely that she will attend, you may receive a response. In 2014, John and Frances Canning were surprised when the Queen attended their wedding at Manchester Town Hall. The couple had sent an invitation to the Queen after learning that she would be in the building where their wedding was taking place. They received a reply from a lady-in-waiting, who informed them that the Queen would not be able to attend but wished them well. However, the Queen did end up making an appearance at their wedding, congratulating them and posing for pictures. It is worth noting that the Queen will only respond to British citizens.

The Queen only responds to British/English citizens

It is possible to invite the Queen to your wedding, and she might even show up! In 2014, Frances and John Canning were amazed when the Queen appeared as a surprise guest of honour at their wedding in Manchester Town Hall. The couple had booked the town hall for their civil wedding and were informed that they would be sharing the venue with a "VIP". They wrote a lighthearted letter to Buckingham Palace inviting the Queen to join their party and were surprised to receive a reply from the Palace thanking them for the invitation. The Queen then made a detour from her original schedule to turn up and wish them the best.

However, it is important to note that the Queen will only respond to British or English citizens. If you are a British citizen and would like to invite the Queen to your wedding, you can send your invitation to the following address:

> The Secretary to His Majesty King Charles III

> Buckingham Palace

> London, England SW1A 1AA

While there is no guarantee that the Queen will be able to attend, you may receive a reply from a lady-in-waiting, as the Cannings did. In their case, a "gentleman from the Town Hall" later informed them that the Queen had actually agreed to meet them, demonstrating that flexibility may be required in the royal schedule.

So, if you are a British citizen and fancy your chances, why not give it a go? You never know who might show up!

Send your invite to Buckingham Palace

If you're a British citizen, you may want to send a wedding invitation to the Queen and hope for a response. While it's unlikely that the Queen herself will attend your wedding, there have been instances of her making an appearance and sending a congratulatory letter.

To send an invitation to the Queen, address it to:

> Her Majesty the Queen

> Buckingham Palace

> London, England SW1A 1AA

When addressing the Queen, be sure to use the correct title and format. The outer envelope should be addressed to "Her Majesty the Queen" and the inner envelope to "The Queen." This is the traditional way to address a monarch.

In your invitation, it is respectful to use formal language and to express your regards for the Queen. You may also want to include a brief description of your wedding, such as the date, location, and any other relevant details. It is not necessary to include a return envelope or postage, as the Palace will cover these costs.

While it is an honour to receive a response from the Queen, it is important to manage your expectations. The Queen receives numerous invitations and may not be able to respond to all of them. Additionally, the response may come from a lady-in-waiting or another representative, rather than the Queen herself.

Include a lighthearted letter

When including a lighthearted letter with your wedding invitation to the Queen, it's important to strike a balance between formality and warmth. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you craft a delightful letter that aligns with the occasion:

Tone and Language:

• Begin your letter with a respectful and formal tone. Address the Queen using the formal "Your Majesty" and consider including a complimentary title such as "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."
• Express your best wishes and congratulations to the Queen, acknowledging any recent celebrations or milestones, such as jubilees.
• Use a humble and gracious tone throughout the letter.

Content and Structure:

• Begin the letter with a formal greeting and address. For example, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."
• Introduce yourself and your partner by name and explain that you are writing to extend a wedding invitation.
• Briefly mention the details of your wedding, including the date, time, and location. You may also include a sentence or two about your relationship and what this celebration means to you.
• Convey your understanding that the Queen may have prior commitments, but you would be honoured if she could attend.
• Express your gratitude for her consideration and conclude with a respectful closing, such as "Yours sincerely" or "With warmest regards."

Example Letter:

> Your Majesty, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,

>

> It is with great pleasure and humility that I, [your name], and my partner, [partner's name], invite you to join us on our wedding day. We understand that your schedule may not permit your presence, but we would be deeply honoured if you could attend our celebration, which will take place on [date] at [time] in [location].

>

> Our wedding is a special moment for us, and we would be overjoyed if you could share in our happiness. We understand and respect your busy schedule, but we wanted to extend this invitation as a token of our appreciation for your service and dedication to the nation.

>

> Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. We wish you all the best and send our warmest regards.

>

> Yours sincerely,

>

> [Your name] and [partner's name]

Remember to adjust the tone and content to align with your personal style and the nature of your wedding celebration. This example provides a general framework, but you can add your unique touches to make the letter more meaningful to you and your partner.

You may receive a reply from a lady-in-waiting

If you're a British citizen, you may receive a reply from a lady-in-waiting if you send a wedding invitation to the Queen. This is what happened to John and Frances Canning, who invited the Queen to their wedding at Manchester Town Hall. They received a reply from a lady-in-waiting, who thanked them for the invitation and politely declined.

The couple were already aware that the Queen would be in the building for a lunch hosted by the lord mayor as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations. On a whim, they decided to write to Buckingham Palace, inviting the Queen to drop by their wedding if she had a moment. They never expected to receive a reply, let alone for the Queen to actually attend.

So, if you're a British citizen and you're feeling adventurous, go ahead and send that invitation to the Queen. You never know, you might just receive a reply from a lady-in-waiting, and maybe even a royal visit! It's definitely a unique way to make your wedding day extra special and memorable.

It's important to note that this tradition of responding to wedding invitations is exclusive to British citizens. If you're not a British citizen, you are unlikely to receive a response. However, there is no harm in trying, and you never know who else might respond!

The Queen may even show up

While it is highly unlikely that the Queen will attend your wedding, there have been instances where the Queen has surprised couples by showing up at their wedding. In one instance, the Queen even accepted a wedding invitation and attended the wedding as a surprise guest of honour. So, if you are a British citizen, you might be in luck!

How to invite the Queen to your wedding

Address the invitation to "Her Majesty the Queen" and send it to Buckingham Palace in London, England. It is worth noting that only British citizens will receive a response from British royalty. When writing the invitation, be light-hearted and gracious. You could even include a note wishing the Queen a lovely day and expressing your best wishes.

What to expect if the Queen accepts

If the Queen accepts your invitation, you can expect a royal visit that will be a memorable highlight of your wedding day. The Queen may pose for pictures with the newlyweds and congratulate them on their marriage. Additionally, other members of the royal family, such as Prince Philip, may accompany her and engage in friendly conversations with the couple and their guests. They may inquire about the couple's honeymoon plans or other details, indicating that they have been briefed about the newlyweds.

A memorable experience

Having the Queen attend your wedding will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable moments of your life. It will be a phenomenal experience that will leave you and your guests amazed and feeling special. So, while it may be a long shot, there is no harm in inviting the Queen to your wedding and hoping for a pleasant surprise.

Frequently asked questions