Prince Philip's Absence At Harry's Wedding

Prince Philip was present at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding on 19 May 2018, despite concerns about his health following hip surgery. The Duke of Edinburgh walked unaided into St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, alongside the Queen, but was reportedly in agony due to a cracked rib from a recent fall. Philip's attendance was especially meaningful to Harry, as the two shared a close relationship, and the wedding date was chosen with the Duke of Edinburgh's health in mind.

Prince Philip's health before the wedding

Prince Philip's health was a cause for concern in the lead-up to Prince Harry's wedding in 2018. The Duke of Edinburgh had undergone hip surgery in April, just a month before the wedding, and there were worries that he might not be able to attend. Despite this, he made his first post-surgery public appearance at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on May 11, indicating a steady recovery.

Indeed, Prince Philip's health was reportedly one of the reasons why Prince Harry wanted the wedding to take place so soon after his engagement. A royal expert, Katie Nicholl, noted that Harry wanted the wedding to be held "quite quickly" because his 96-year-old grandfather had retired and he really wanted him to be present at the wedding.

Prince Philip's health issues had been well-documented in the years leading up to the wedding. In 2017, he stepped down from royal engagements, joking that he could no longer stand up. His final official public appearance was at a Royal Marines parade on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace later that year. He also suffered from a bladder infection in 2012 and underwent exploratory surgery on his abdomen in 2013. In 2011, he had a stent inserted into his heart, which impacted his ability to participate in certain outdoor activities like shooting.

Despite these health concerns, Prince Philip was able to attend Prince Harry's wedding and made a remarkable recovery following his hip surgery, demonstrating his commitment to supporting his grandson on his special day.

Prince Philip's injury

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was involved in a road traffic accident on the afternoon of Thursday, January 17, 2019, near Sandringham Estate. At the time, the prince was 97 years old and driving a Land Rover. The collision was with a Kia, and the accident left his SUV overturned on its side. The female driver of the Kia suffered cuts, and her female passenger sustained an arm injury. Both were treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn and discharged.

Prince Philip and the other driver were given breathalyzer tests, which is standard policy, and both passed. The Duke of Edinburgh was seen by a doctor as a precaution, and his lack of injury was confirmed.

Prince Philip's health has been a concern in recent years, particularly in relation to his attendance at his grandson Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in May 2018. He had hip surgery in April 2018, and his attendance at the wedding was uncertain. However, he was able to attend, marking his first public appearance following the operation.

Prince Philip's relationship with Prince Harry

Prince Harry and Prince Philip's relationship was a close one, with Harry reportedly very fond of his grandfather. This was evident when Prince Philip attended Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle, despite concerns about his health following hip surgery.

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, underwent hip surgery in April 2018, just a month before the wedding. At 96 years old, his attendance was uncertain, and a spokesperson for the royal family said, "We very much hope so." However, Prince Philip was determined to be there for his grandson's special day. He made his first post-surgery public appearance at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on May 11, and just over a week later, he arrived at Windsor Castle for the wedding, marking his second public appearance.

Prince Harry was very keen to have his grandfather at the wedding and, according to royal expert Katie Nicholl, this influenced the date of the wedding: "In fact, one of the reasons that Prince Harry has wanted this wedding to happen quite quickly—this is really whirlwind by royal standards—is because his 96-year-old grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, is retired now and Prince Harry really wants him to be at his wedding."

The wedding was not the only time Prince Harry and Prince Philip were seen together. At Lady Gabriella Windsor's wedding in 2019, Harry was spotted chatting animatedly with his grandfather, leaving the latter in fits of giggles.

However, the relationship between the two may have soured following Harry's decision to step back from royal duties. According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, Prince Philip was deeply upset by Harry and Meghan's decision to leave the royal family and could not comprehend their actions. Seward writes that Philip has "walked away" from the situation, feeling that his advice fell on "deaf ears."

Despite this potential rift, it is clear that Prince Harry and Prince Philip shared a close bond, particularly evident during the lead-up to Harry's wedding, where the former's concern for the latter's health influenced the wedding date.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding outfits

Prince Harry's Outfit:

Prince Harry opted for a military uniform, specifically the frock coat uniform of the Blues and Royals, a regiment he served in for 10 years, including in combat in Afghanistan. He chose this uniform with permission from the Queen, as he considered it one of the smartest household cavalry uniforms. The uniform was made by Dege & Skinner, gentleman's tailors and uniform makers from Savile Row, London.

Meghan Markle's Outfit:

Meghan's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the historic French fashion house Givenchy. The dress featured a boat neckline, long sleeves, and a sweeping train. It was made of "double-bonded silk cady cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza." The silk veil was 16 feet long and embroidered with flora from all 53 Commonwealth countries, as well as the wintersweet flower and the California poppy, representing Meghan's home state.

Accessories and Jewellery:

Meghan's tiara was her "something borrowed" from the Queen's jewellery collection. It was the diamond bandeau of Queen Mary's tiara, crafted in 1932, with a detachable brooch created in 1893. Her jewellery included diamond stud Cartier earrings and a diamond-studded Reflection de Cartier bracelet. Her shoes were also designed by Givenchy and had a pointed couture design.

Hair and Makeup:

Meghan's hair was styled by Serge Normant, who created a rolled-up look with face-framing fringe tucked behind her ears. Her makeup was done by Dior makeup artist Daniel Martin, who opted for a natural look, including "soft brown eyeshadow" and minimal makeup on the face. Her nails were painted in a neutral pink-beige shade.

Prince Harry's Accessories:

Prince Harry wore the rank of major with the star of the Royal Victorian Order and various medals, including the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, and Army Air Corps wings. He also received the Queen's permission to keep his beard, which was usually only permitted under exceptional circumstances in the British Army.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue:

Meghan incorporated all four elements of this wedding tradition into her outfit. Her "something old" was a piece of fabric from Princess Diana's wedding dress, sewn into her dress. Her "something new" was the jewellery set, including the earrings and bracelet. The "something borrowed" was the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara borrowed from the Queen. Finally, her "something blue" was a piece of fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry, stitched into her veil.

Exhibition:

The outfits of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were exhibited at Windsor Castle from October 26, 2018, to January 6, 2019. The exhibition, titled "A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex," provided the public with an opportunity to admire the intricate details of the wedding attire up close.

The wedding reception

The couple each gave a speech, as did Prince Charles and Prince William. Music was provided by DJ Idris Elba and The Atlantic Soul Orchestra, who played Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" at Meghan's request. Fireworks were set off above Frogmore House, where the reception was held, and the newlyweds shared a dance.

The wedding cake was a layered lemon and elderflower cake decorated with peonies in shades of white and cream. It was designed by London-based cake designer Claire Ptak, who was chosen in March 2018.

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