George Boyle
King Charles III and Queen Camilla's wedding day on April 9, 2005, was a highly anticipated event. The couple tied the knot at Windsor Guildhall in a civil ceremony witnessed by 28 guests, including Prince William and Prince Harry, and was followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St. George's Chapel. Although Queen Elizabeth II did not attend the ceremony, she hosted a reception at Windsor Castle and gave a touching speech that reportedly left the audience in fits of laughter. Charles also gave a speech at the reception, expressing gratitude to his mother for paying for the wedding and to his bride, Camilla, for her unwavering support.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 9 April 2005 |
| Location | Windsor Guildhall |
| Attendees | 28 guests, including Prince William, Prince Harry, Tom Parker Bowles, Laura Lopes, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Rowan Williams |
| Details | Civil ceremony followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George's Chapel |
| Queen's Speech | "They have overcome Becher's Brook and The Chair [referencing the Grand National fences at Aintree racecourse] and all kinds of other terrible obstacles. They have come through and I'm very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves." |
| Prince Charles' Speech | "My dear mama" for footing the bill and "my darling Camilla, who has stood with me through thick and thin and whose precious optimism and humour have seen me through." |
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What You'll Learn
Queen Elizabeth II's attendance and speech
Queen Elizabeth II did not attend the civil wedding ceremony of her son, Prince Charles, and Camilla Parker Bowles, due to her role as head of the Church of England, which discourages divorce. However, she and the late Duke of Edinburgh hosted a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle later that day, indicating their approval of the union.
Queen Elizabeth's speech at the reception was described as "unusually sentimental" and witty, with the monarch sharing several fun stories and family memories. She had the audience "in stitches", with one guest describing it as a "lovely affectionate tribute".
In her speech, Queen Elizabeth referenced the Grand National horse race, saying:
> They have overcome Becher's Brook and The Chair [referencing the Grand National fences at Aintree racecourse] and all kinds of other terrible obstacles. They have come through and I'm very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves.
The speech was also depicted in the final episode of The Crown, where it was used as a backdrop for the Queen's internal dilemma about whether to abdicate the throne and announce Charles as her successor. However, there is no historical evidence to support this theory.
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Camilla's wedding day jitters
Camillas Wedding Day Jitters
It was the day that Camilla had been waiting for. After dating Charles on and off for more than 30 years, she was finally going to marry the man of her dreams. However, the day did not get off to the smoothest start. Camilla was so nervous that she couldn't get out of bed. Her sister Annabel Elliot threatened to wear the wedding dress for her if she refused to get up. Camilla's jitters were understandable, given that she had once been widely reviled as an adulteress and she didn't know what kind of reception she would receive from the crowd or the media.
Camilla's health had been suffering in the week leading up to her wedding. Her dresser, housemaid, sister, and daughter were all with her in her bedroom, but not one of them could persuade her to get up. Finally, her sister said, "OK, that's alright. I'm going to do it for you. I'm going to get into your clothes." Thankfully, Camilla did manage to get up and make it up the aisle.
The wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles took place on 9 April 2005 at Windsor Guildhall. The civil ceremony was followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George's Chapel. The groom's parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, did not attend the civil ceremony due to their Christian values and the fact that the couple were both divorcees. However, they did host a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle and the Queen gave a touching speech that helped to soothe any fears that Camilla had of not being accepted into the family.
The Queen's speech was unusually sentimental for the monarch and had the audience in fits of laughter. She shared several fun, lighthearted stories and family memories. She also made a nod to her passion for horse racing, saying, "They have overcome Becher's Brook and The Chair [referencing the Grand National fences at Aintree racecourse] and all kinds of other terrible obstacles. They have come through and I'm very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves."
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King Charles' gratitude for his mother and wife
King Charles expressed gratitude for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his wife, Queen Camilla, at his wedding reception. The wedding of King Charles and Queen Camilla took place on April 9, 2005, at Windsor Guildhall, followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St. George's Chapel.
Queen Elizabeth II, the mother of King Charles, did not attend the civil wedding ceremony but hosted a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle. The Queen's speech at the reception was described as "unusually sentimental" and helped Camilla feel accepted into the royal family. In her speech, the Queen shared fun and humorous stories, allaying any lingering notions of disapproval and expressing her support for the union.
King Charles gave a touching speech at the reception, expressing his appreciation for his mother's support and his love for Camilla. He thanked his "dear mama" for her contribution to the wedding and expressed his gratitude for Camilla's unwavering support and their enduring love. Charles's speech highlighted his gratitude for his mother's role in the wedding and his deep love for his wife.
The wedding day was a significant occasion for King Charles and Queen Camilla, marking the formalization of their relationship and the start of their life together as a royal couple. The reception, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, brought together family and guests to celebrate the union and created a memorable moment for the newlyweds and those in attendance. The speeches by both King Charles and his mother, the Queen, reflected their gratitude, love, and joy on this special day.
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The Queen's blessing and acceptance of the couple
> "They have overcome Becher's Brook and The Chair [referencing the Grand National fences at Aintree racecourse] and all kinds of other terrible obstacles. They have come through and I'm very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves."
The Queen's speech laid to rest any notion that she might disapprove of the marriage and helped Camilla feel welcomed and accepted into the royal family.
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The couple's civil ceremony
The civil wedding ceremony of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles took place on 9 April 2005 at Windsor Guildhall. The ceremony was conducted in the presence of the couple's families, including Prince William and Prince Harry, as well as Camilla's children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes. The groom's parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, did not attend the civil ceremony due to their Christian values and the fact that both the bride and groom were divorcees. However, they gave their blessing to the marriage and hosted a reception for the couple at Windsor Castle afterwards.
The civil ceremony was followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St. George's Chapel, also in Windsor. This service was attended by 800 guests and all the senior members of the royal family, including the Queen and Prince Philip. The Service of Prayer and Dedication was televised and included the couple joining the congregation in a reading from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, acknowledging their sins and seeking forgiveness.
The civil ceremony itself was a small and intimate affair, with just 28 guests in attendance. The bride wore a dress by London designers Robinson Valentine, and a hat by Irish milliner Philip Treacy. The wedding cake was created by Dawn Blunden of the Sophisticake cake shop in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. A slice of the cake was later auctioned off, selling for £215.
The civil ceremony marked the legalisation of the relationship between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, who had been romantically involved for over 30 years. Following the ceremony, Camilla became known as "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall". The wedding was described by the media as "A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups", reflecting the long-awaited union of the couple.
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Frequently asked questions
At the wedding reception of Prince Charles and Camilla, Charles gave a touching speech in which he thanked his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, for footing the bill. He also expressed his love for his new wife, saying:
> "My darling Camilla, who has stood by me through thick and thin and whose precious optimism and humour have seen me through."
No, Queen Elizabeth II did not attend the civil wedding ceremony of her son, but she did perform a speech at the reception.
Queen Elizabeth II's speech was described as "unusually sentimental" and "the best comedy act I've seen in years" by a former royal butler. She shared several fun, great stories and family memories, and even made a reference to her passion for horse racing.
