Deborah Chan
There have been many royal honeymoons over the years, from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's trip to the Broadlands and Birkhall Estate in 1947 to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's rumoured luxurious getaway in Namibia. Princess Anne and Mark Phillips honeymooned on the Royal Yacht Britannia, while Prince William and Kate Middleton jetted off to the Seychelles. Some couples have even had multiple honeymoons, such as Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, who also spent time at Balmoral, and Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall, who honeymooned in Cyprus after delaying their trip to accommodate their sports careers.
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What You'll Learn
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's honeymoon destinations
In 1947, Queen Elizabeth II, who was then a 21-year-old princess, and her husband, 26-year-old Prince Philip, the Prince of Greece and Denmark, embarked on their honeymoon. The couple enjoyed a low-key honeymoon, first visiting Broadlands in Hampshire, the home of Prince Philip's uncle, Earl Mountbatten. They were accompanied by the Queen's corgi, Susan, who was smuggled under the blankets in their carriage to the station.
At Broadlands, the newlyweds were photographed enjoying a stroll through the rural woodland area, with the then-Princess Elizabeth dressed in a pleated skirt, a cinched jacket, and lace-up shoes, and Prince Philip in a tweed suit. The couple also released several photos, walking arm-in-arm and beaming at each other.
The second part of their honeymoon was spent at Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland. Before departing for the highlands, the couple interrupted their honeymoon to give a statement to the public, expressing their gratitude for the reception and loving interest shown by their fellow countrymen and well-wishers worldwide.
In addition to these destinations, it is worth noting that the couple also had to interrupt their honeymoon to reshoot their wedding photos, as the original ones were ruined when Elizabeth misplaced her flowers. They returned to Buckingham Palace, where the photographer, Sterling Henry Nahum, captured the iconic shots once again.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's honeymoon plans
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's honeymoon was a closely guarded secret, with Kensington Palace confirming that the trip would be private and that no details would be released to the media. The couple first attended the Trooping the Colour parade on June 9, 2018, after a short delay to attend a garden party honouring Prince Charles's birthday.
Speculation about their honeymoon destination was rampant, with many believing that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would choose Africa, a continent of great significance to the couple. Harry has expressed a deep connection to Africa, and it was the place where the couple first fell in love, taking a trip to Botswana just four weeks after they met. Harry has also stated that he feels more like himself in Africa than anywhere else in the world.
Rumours circulated that they had chosen Namibia as their honeymoon destination, with Roya Nikkhah, an ABC News royal contributor, stating that they might take another trip after that as part of their honeymoon. Other speculations included Canada, with TMZ reporting that they had headed to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta, a favourite among British royalty. However, this was later refuted by a royal reporter for The Sun and a representative from Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.
It was later revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had, in fact, honeymooned in East Africa, visiting more than two countries. They enjoyed safaris, outdoor adventures, and relaxed in the sun. The specific locations and details of their trip were kept private, allowing the couple to enjoy a well-deserved break before embarking on a busy second half of 2018.
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Prince William and Kate Middleton's honeymoon in Seychelles
Prince William and Kate Middleton's honeymoon in the Seychelles was a break from tradition. The newly-married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose to delay their honeymoon, spending their first weekend as a married couple in the UK before flying to the Seychelles.
The couple stayed at the exclusive North Island resort, a private island with only 11 luxurious villas, where they could escape from the outside world. The resort, nicknamed the 'Island of Love', offers a range of activities, including scuba diving, snorkelling, sea kayaking, surfing, and cycling. There is also a spa, and the chef cooks meals according to guests' individual tastes. The most exclusive villa, likely where William and Kate stayed, costs around £9,000 per night.
The couple reportedly stayed in Villa 11, which has its own pool and direct beach access. They thanked the island’s officials for a ‘memorable and special 10 days’, saying they ‘thoroughly enjoyed their time’ on the island.
In 2025, the couple reportedly went on a second honeymoon to the Caribbean island of Mustique. They stayed in a secluded $48,000-per-week villa, and were joined by Kate's mother, Carole Middleton, who cared for their children.
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Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson's honeymoon in Africa
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Mary Donaldson, now King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark, spent their honeymoon in Africa. The couple married on 14 May 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral, with the wedding festivities taking place at Fredensborg Palace.
The specific location of their honeymoon has never been publicly confirmed. However, in an interview with ABC News in Australia, Prince Frederik revealed that they went on a photo safari just south of the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn. He also shared that he wanted their honeymoon to be a place where they could be themselves and have privacy as a couple.
The newlyweds kept their relationship a secret from the public eye, with Frederik only revealing his identity as the Crown Prince of Denmark at the height of their courtship. They first met in 2000 at the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and their romance blossomed through long-distance communication and discreet visits between Denmark and Australia.
Mary Donaldson, an Australian advertising executive, became the first Australian-born queen consort of any country when Frederik ascended the Danish throne in 2024. She was granted Danish citizenship and converted to Lutheranism before their wedding. Mary has since carried out engagements on behalf of the Danish monarchy and is actively involved with numerous charitable organisations.
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Princess Anne and Mark Phillips' honeymoon on the Royal Yacht Britannia
Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, married Mark Phillips, a retired British Army cavalry officer, on 14 November 1973. The couple first met in 1968 on the equestrian circuit, with both being competitive equestrians.
For their honeymoon, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips travelled on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, exploring the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and visiting islands like Trinidad, Antigua, the Caribbean, and the Galapagos Islands. The Royal Yacht Britannia was a fitting choice for the couple, as Mark Phillips served on the ship earlier in his naval career. The newlyweds' journey aboard the iconic vessel marked the continuation of a romantic connection to the sea that began with their initial encounter.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is renowned for its luxurious dining experiences, and the honeymoon menu certainly lived up to this reputation. Guests aboard can indulge in beautifully prepared dishes bursting with flavour, such as the signature smoked salmon, crafted with passion by the galley team. The suite that Princess Anne occupied during her time on the ship is now available for bookings, offering patrons a glimpse into the regal lifestyle.
Princess Anne and Mark Phillips' wedding was a lavish affair, with an estimated global audience of 500 million people. The ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey, with Princess Anne wearing an embroidered Tudor-style wedding dress, designed by Maureen Baker, and Mark Phillips in the full dress uniform of his regiment, the Queen's Dragoon Guards. The couple announced their engagement in May 1973, and their wedding day was declared a special bank holiday.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, and her husband, Prince Philip, honeymooned at Broadlands in Hampshire, which is the home of Philip’s uncle, Earl Mountbatten of Burma. They then travelled to Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana spent their honeymoon at Broadlands and on a cruise in the Mediterranean, ending at Balmoral. Charles also honeymooned at the Scotland estate with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
William and Kate travelled by private jet to North Island in the Seychelles for their honeymoon.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle delayed their honeymoon but it is speculated that they went to Namibia in Africa.
