Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of Duchess Kate, became well-known after her sister married Prince William in 2011. In 2017, when Pippa married James Matthews, all eyes were once again on her. There was much speculation about whether Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's then-girlfriend, would be in attendance. Although Markle was invited to the wedding, she and Prince Harry decided at the last minute that she would not attend the ceremony, only the reception.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Date of Pippa Middleton's Wedding | May 20, 2017 |
Meghan Markle's Attendance | Markle was uninvited from the ceremony but attended the reception |
Reason for Absence at the Ceremony | To avoid attracting attention and distracting from the bride |
Reason for Uninvitation | The bride and her mother were concerned that Markle would "overshadow the main event" |
What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle was uninvited to Pippa Middleton's wedding ceremony
Royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, in their book "Finding Freedom", revealed that Middleton and her mother, Carole, "privately harboured concerns that the American actress's presence alongside Harry might overshadow the main event". The day of the wedding, The Sun ran a cover story comparing Pippa Middleton and Meghan Markle, which solidified the decision that Markle should not attend the ceremony.
Despite being uninvited to the ceremony, Meghan Markle did attend the reception, where she wore a "decidedly unflashy long black gown". She and Prince Harry spent most of their time at the reception "chatting about their evening apart".
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Markle attended the wedding reception
Markle reportedly arrived in London three days ahead of the wedding, and on the day before the wedding, she was spotted at a spa in Covent Garden, where she indulged in a $325 facial treatment.
For the reception, Markle wore a "decidedly unflashy long black gown" and did her own makeup. She and Prince Harry spent most of their time at the reception "chatting about their evening apart", and they called it a night close to 2:00 AM, with a protection officer driving them back to Kensington Palace.
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Prince Harry drove three hours to bring Markle to the reception
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship has been a topic of fascination for many, especially when it comes to their attendance at high-profile events. One particular incident that has caught the attention of the public was their appearance at Pippa Middleton's wedding in 2017.
While there were initial rumours that the American actress, Meghan Markle, would attend the wedding ceremony at Prince Harry's side, she was notably absent from the church ceremony. This sparked curiosity, with some wondering if there was trouble in paradise for the couple. However, it was later revealed that the couple had made a joint decision for Meghan to skip the ceremony to avoid attracting too much attention and potentially overshadowing the bride, Pippa Middleton.
Despite not attending the ceremony, Prince Harry demonstrated his commitment to Meghan by driving three hours to bring her to the reception. According to reports, he drove an hour and a half from the wedding venue in Bucklebury, England, back to London to pick her up, and then another hour and a half back to the Middleton estate for the reception. This journey showcases the lengths to which Prince Harry was willing to go to include Meghan in the celebrations and ensure they arrived together.
The couple's grand entrance at the reception did not go unnoticed, and they made headlines for their stylish arrival. Meghan, who had been determined not to outshine the bride, opted for a "decidedly unflashy long black gown" and did her own makeup. Their joint appearance put to rest any rumours of trouble in their relationship, and they were later seen enjoying each other's company at the reception, chatting and spending time together.
This incident highlights the challenges of being in the public eye and the constant scrutiny faced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Their decision to skip the ceremony and attend only the reception demonstrates their awareness of the impact their presence can have and their willingness to make considerate choices.
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Pippa Middleton was afraid Markle would 'overshadow' her
Pippa Middleton was afraid that Meghan Markle would overshadow her at her wedding to James Matthews in 2017. Middleton, the younger sister of Duchess Kate, became well-known after her sister married Prince William in 2011. Middleton wore an ivory, figure-hugging Alexander McQueen dress that went viral. As a result, there was much interest in what she would wear to her own wedding.
Royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand revealed in their book, "Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family," that Pippa and her mother, Carole, were concerned that Meghan's presence alongside Harry might steal the spotlight. The Sun even ran a cover story on the day of the wedding, comparing the two with photos of their backsides.
To avoid upstaging the bride, Meghan and Harry decided at the last minute that Meghan would not attend the ceremony. Instead, Harry drove an hour and a half back to London to pick her up after the ceremony, and they arrived at the reception together. Meghan wore a "decidedly unflashy long black gown" and did her own makeup.
Despite their efforts, Meghan's presence at the reception still caused a stir. Pippa's request that couples not sit together at dinner meant that Harry and Meghan spent most of their time apart. They left the reception around 2 a.m. and were driven back to Kensington Palace by a protection officer.
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Pippa Middleton and Meghan Markle attended Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding
Pippa Middleton and Meghan Markle were both in attendance at Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding. Pippa Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, became well-known after her sister, Kate, married Prince William in 2011. Middleton wore a form-fitting ivory Alexander McQueen dress, which received a lot of attention.
Similarly, at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, eyes were on Pippa Middleton once more, as there were speculations that she was pregnant with her first child. For this wedding, Middleton wore a loose-fitting, mint, knee-length dress with floral detailing by The Fold, which she paired with matching blush pumps, a clutch, and a fascinator.
On the other hand, Meghan Markle, who was Prince Harry's girlfriend at the time, was invited to Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews in 2017. Markle was a somewhat reluctant addition to the guest list, as Pippa Middleton and her mother, Carole, were concerned that Markle's presence alongside Prince Harry might overshadow the main event.
Despite this, Markle did attend the wedding reception, and she and Prince Harry drove to the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, England, after the ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Meghan was invited to Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews.
Meghan and Harry decided she shouldn't attend the ceremony at the last minute. They were concerned that their attendance as a couple would create a media circus and overshadow the main event.
Yes, Meghan attended the private reception after the ceremony.
No, they did not. Pippa requested that no couples sit together at the reception.
Meghan wore a "decidedly unflashy long black gown" and did her own makeup.