Queen Elizabeth Attends Prince Harry's Wedding

Queen Elizabeth II attended her grandson Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The Queen, dressed in one of her signature colourful outfits, was the last to arrive before the bride, as per royal protocol. She sat next to her husband, Prince Philip, who had undergone hip replacement surgery just five weeks before the wedding. The Queen was reportedly “uncomfortable with several aspects of the wedding, including Meghan's flamboyant wedding dress and then-Prince Charles walking the bride down the aisle.

Queen Elizabeth's outfit

Queen Elizabeth II's outfit at Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle was a bold and bright choice, as is her custom. The Queen wore a delicately flared dress in lime, lemon, purple and grey printed silk, topped with an edge-to-edge coat with frogging fastening in lime silk tweed, designed by Stuart Parvin. Her hat, designed by Angela Kelly, was made from the same lime silk tweed, adorned with handmade lace crystals and pearls by Lucy Price. The Queen's brooch was the Richmond Diamond Brooch with a pearl drop.

The Queen's choice to wear such a bright, vibrant outfit was no accident. The Queen always wears colourful outfits so that she stands out and can easily be spotted in a crowd. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, explained her mother-in-law's penchant for rainbow shades in the documentary The Queen at 90: "She needs to stand out for people to be able to say 'I saw the Queen,' [...] Don't forget that when she turns up somewhere, the crowds are two, three, four, ten, 15 deep, and someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the Queen's hat as she went past." The Queen herself has been quoted as saying, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am."

Colour consultant and author of Color Psychology Today, June McLeod, suggested that the Queen's choice of colour may have had a deeper meaning. According to McLeod, the colour green "is a highly significant colour worn as a sign of respect and intention for the future." The purple accents in the Queen's outfit may have been a nod to her grandson's future wife, as "purple is a proud colour [that] also symbolizes cleansing and indicates a passion for creativity."

The Queen's arrival

The Queen arrived at the wedding with her husband, Prince Philip, by car. She wore one of her signature colourful ensembles, an electric shade of bright green, standing out from the crowd. Her outfit was a true statement, as she had once said herself, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am".

The Queen's presence at the wedding was a highlight, with her vibrant outfit and regal demeanour capturing the attention of guests and onlookers alike. Her arrival marked a significant moment in the wedding celebrations, setting the tone for the rest of the day's festivities.

The empty seat next to Prince William

At the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, an empty seat was noticeable next to Prince William, who served as the best man. Viewers speculated that the seat was left empty as a tribute to the princes' late mother, Diana. However, this was not the case. The seat was empty for a different reason: to ensure Queen Elizabeth II, seated directly behind, had a clear view of the ceremony.

According to royal reporter Rebecca English, the seat in front of the Queen is always left empty, as she needs to be seen and this particular seat in St. George's Chapel is her favourite. It is customary never to seat someone directly in front of the monarch. At the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, the Queen sat in the front row, so this was not an issue.

While the empty seat was not a nod to Princess Diana, her memory was honoured in several other ways during the wedding. Meghan's bouquet included forget-me-nots, which were reportedly Diana's favourite flower. The couple also included branches of beech, birch, and hornbeam, as well as white garden roses, another favourite of Diana's, in their lavish floral arrangement. Additionally, Diana's sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, gave an emotional reading from the biblical Song of Solomon during the ceremony.

The Queen's seat at the reception

At the reception, the Queen's seat was strategically placed to offer her the best view. It is customary for the seat in front of the Queen to be left empty, ensuring she has an unobstructed view of the proceedings. This particular seat is known to be the Queen's favourite, allowing her to comfortably observe the festivities.

The Queen's colourful ensemble, a stark contrast to the bride's white gown, also played a part in her overall presence at the reception. The Queen is known for her vibrant wardrobe choices, and her outfit for her grandson's wedding was no exception. She opted for a bright shade of green, a powerful statement and a departure from the traditional subdued colours often associated with wedding guests.

The reception seating plan, with the Queen in a place of prominence, reflected the importance of her role in the royal family and her relationship with her grandson, the groom. The empty seat in front of her, a result of royal protocol, also drew attention to her presence and ensured her comfort throughout the event.

The Queen's expression

Queen Elizabeth II's expression at her grandson Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle was one of the most talked-about moments of the ceremony. The Queen's arrival caused a stir, as she was the last to arrive before the bride, which is against royal protocol. The Queen, known for her vibrant wardrobe choices, wore a colourful ensemble, sitting beside her husband, Prince Philip.

Additionally, the Queen was reportedly "uncomfortable" with the decision to have Prince Charles walk Meghan down the aisle. This decision was made after Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, did not attend the wedding due to health concerns. While Harry recalled that his father immediately agreed to support Meghan, the Queen was not pleased with this arrangement.

Furthermore, the Queen was concerned about Prince Philip's well-being, as he had undergone a hip replacement operation just five weeks before the wedding. She was worried about his ability to manage walking down the aisle. During the ceremony, the Queen and Prince Philip were also "desperate" for Archbishop Michael Curry to finish his 14-minute sermon, as they both disliked long speeches.

Overall, the Queen's expressions at Prince Harry's wedding conveyed a range of emotions, from her striking arrival to her reported discomfort with certain aspects of the ceremony. These moments were captured and analysed, providing insight into her experience during this significant event in her grandson's life.

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