Queen's Sentiment On Harry's Wedding

Queen Elizabeth II's presence at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was not a given, especially given her role as Defender of the Faith and Head of the Church of England. The Queen's views on divorce are well-known, and Markle was previously married to TV producer Trevor Engelson. However, the royals have modernised their outlook, and the Queen did attend the wedding, even conferring upon Harry the titles of Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel. She also hosted the first reception at St George's Hall. While the Queen was reportedly unhappy with some aspects of the wedding, such as Markle's dress, she did not publicly voice these opinions.

The Queen's outfit

Queen Elizabeth II's outfit for her grandson Prince Harry's wedding was a bright green ensemble. The Queen is known for wearing vibrant colours, and her outfit for the occasion was no exception.

The Queen's choice to wear bright colours is a deliberate one. Her mother-in-law, the Countess of Wessex, explained that the Queen "needs to stand out for people to be able to say 'I saw the Queen'". The Queen herself has been quoted as saying, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am."

Overall, the Queen's outfit for Prince Harry's wedding was a memorable and colourful display, befitting her status as the most senior member of the royal family.

Her arrival time

The arrival of Queen Elizabeth II at the wedding of her grandson Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was highly anticipated. As the most senior member of the royal family, protocol dictates that the Queen arrives last at events and engagements. However, an exception is made in the case of weddings, and the Queen was the last to arrive before the bride, Meghan Markle.

The Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, arrived at St. George's Chapel at 11:52 am on the morning of Saturday, May 19, 2018. They were the last members of the Royal Family to depart for the ceremony, as is customary. The Queen's arrival time was strategically planned, ensuring her grand entrance just before the bride, in keeping with royal protocol.

The Queen's choice of attire for her grandson's wedding also drew attention. She wore a vibrant lime and purple floral dress and hat designed by Stuart Parvin, staying true to her penchant for colourful outfits. Her arrival time and elegant ensemble contributed to her iconic presence at the royal wedding, making it a memorable occasion for the newlyweds and guests alike.

The empty seat next to Prince William

According to royal reporter Rebecca English, the seat in front of the Queen is always left empty, and it just so happens that the seat in question is the Queen's favourite seat in that chapel. English tweeted:

> "Btw - I’ve seen some reports about the spare seat by Prince William in the chapel as having being left in memory of Princess Diana. It wasn’t empty for that reason. The seat in front of the Queen is always left empty, I am told by BP #royalwedding."

At the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Queen sat in the front row, so the issue did not arise.

The Queen's absence at the first half of Prince Charles' wedding

The Queen's absence was also presented as a way to keep the ceremony low-key, in line with the couple's wishes. A palace spokesperson said, "The queen will not be attending the civil ceremony because she is aware that the prince and Mrs. Parker Bowles wanted to keep the occasion low-key... Clearly, if the queen were to attend, the occasion would no longer be, by definition, low-key."

However, the Queen did attend the second part of the wedding, a religious blessing at St. George's Chapel, and hosted a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle, demonstrating her support for the union.

As for the Queen's attendance at Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018, she was present and made a memorable appearance, arriving just before the bride and wearing a vibrant shade of green.

The Queen's blessing of the wedding

Queen Elizabeth II's blessing of the wedding of her grandson Prince Harry to Meghan Markle was a significant moment in the lead-up to the ceremony. As the most senior member of the royal family, the Queen's approval was required for the marriage to take place, as Prince Harry was fifth in line to the throne at the time of his engagement.

The Queen's formal consent was given in a letter to the Privy Council, in which she referred to Prince Harry as her "Most Dearly Beloved Grandson". While Meghan Markle was not described as "trusty and well-beloved" in this letter, royal reporter Emily Nash clarified that this was because those words are reserved for citizens of Britain or the Queen's overseas realms, and Markle was not yet a British citizen.

The Queen's blessing was also evident in the bestowing of titles upon the couple. On the morning of the wedding, the Queen conferred upon Prince Harry the titles of Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel. Markle became a princess of the United Kingdom and gained the style of Her Royal Highness, as well as the titles of Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton, and Baroness Kilkeel.

The Queen's attendance at the wedding was also seen as a sign of her blessing. As the Head of the Church of England, her presence carried additional significance, especially given Meghan Markle's status as a divorcee. The Queen's cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, revealed that the Queen had taken issue with Markle's wedding dress, describing it as "too white" and "flamboyantly virginal" for a divorcee. Despite these reported reservations, the Queen's arrival at the ceremony and her prominent position during the service sent a clear message of support and acceptance.

In addition to her attendance, the Queen hosted the first reception at St George's Hall after the carriage procession. This gesture of hospitality further emphasised her blessing of the union and her support for the couple.

Frequently asked questions