Queen's Unhappy Face At Harry's Wedding

Queen Elizabeth II's expression during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding has been the subject of much speculation, with some observers noting that she did not appear to be happy. While the couple was beaming from ear to ear, the Queen was seen in a viral video and photos looking less than thrilled, with her expressions interpreted as uncomfortable or even angry. Various reasons have been suggested for her apparent displeasure, including her reported discomfort with Meghan's wedding dress, the long sermon by Archbishop Michael Curry, and concern for her husband Prince Philip's health following his recent hip surgery.

The Queen's husband, Prince Philip, had recently undergone hip surgery

The Queen's stoicism has been well-documented over the years, and her expression at her grandson's wedding was no exception. One reason why the Queen may not have looked happy at Prince Harry's wedding could be due to the fact that her husband, Prince Philip, had recently undergone hip surgery, and his attendance at the wedding had been uncertain until the last minute.

Prince Philip had hip replacement surgery on April 4, 2018, and was recovering at Windsor Castle. With Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle scheduled for May 19, just two weeks later, it was unclear if Prince Philip would be well enough to attend. A spokesperson for the royal family said they "very much hope" he would be there, but that guidance would be given closer to the wedding date.

The Duke of Edinburgh's health was reportedly a factor in the date of the wedding. Royal expert Katie Nicholl noted that Prince Harry wanted the wedding to take place "quite quickly" so that his 96-year-old grandfather could be there. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was also held at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where Prince Philip was recuperating, making it more accessible for him to attend.

Despite initial concerns, Prince Philip did attend the wedding and made his first public appearance since the surgery. He was reported to be in "fine form" and "looked fit as a fiddle." This marked a significant milestone in his recovery, as he had not been present at several high-profile events prior to the wedding.

The Queen and Prince Philip's entrance at the wedding followed royal tradition, with the Queen arriving last before the bride. Their attendance and well-being were undoubtedly important aspects of the day, and the Queen's expression may have reflected the weight of these concerns.

She disliked Meghan Markle's wedding dress

There are several reasons why the Queen may not have looked happy at Prince Harry's wedding, and one of them is related to Meghan Markle's choice of wedding dress.

The Duchess of Sussex wore a custom gown designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress featured an off-the-shoulder, bateau neckline and a five-metre-long veil, which was embroidered with flora from all 53 countries in the Commonwealth, as well as two of Meghan's favourite flowers.

However, according to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, the late Queen Elizabeth II took issue with the dress being "too white" for a divorcée. In her book, 'My Mother and I', Seward writes that the Queen shared her opinion with her closest confidantes, including her cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson. Lady Elizabeth reportedly claimed that the Queen thought Meghan's dress was improper, given that she had been married previously.

The Queen is quoted as saying that it was "not appropriate for a divorcée getting remarried in church to look quite so flamboyantly virginal". This sentiment was echoed by royal author Angela Levin, who stated that the Queen was "cross" about Meghan's dress, as the colour white suggests a ""virginal" persona, which the Queen knew was not entirely true in Meghan's case.

On the day of the wedding, Kensington Palace stated that the "pure white colour" was chosen by Meghan and Keller to "bring a fresh modernity to the dress". However, the Queen's discomfort extended beyond the dress, as she also did not approve of Prince Charles walking Meghan down the aisle, feeling that it was "completely unnecessary and wrong".

Meghan didn't curtsy to the Queen

It is unclear whether the Queen was unhappy at Prince Harry's wedding. However, there has been much speculation about Meghan's behaviour towards the Queen at the wedding.

As a newly inducted Duchess of the royal family, Meghan Markle was expected to curtsy to the Queen and other royals who outranked her. Royal brides have traditionally offered a curtsy to the reigning monarch at their wedding. This is done by bowing the head and bending the knee. However, the official broadcast coverage from inside St George's Chapel did not show Meghan making this gesture.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward pointed out that the bride and groom were expected to bow and curtsy to the Queen after the national anthem, but some viewers did not see this happen. It is possible that the camera angle made the gesture hard to spot, as it switched to a bird's-eye view at the crucial moment. In the aerial footage, Meghan does appear to curtsy as Harry bows his head. No clear footage of the gesture from another angle has been released.

Meghan's comment in the Harry & Meghan Netflix docuseries that she thought Harry's request that she curtsy to the Queen was "a joke" also caused controversy. Critics accused her of mocking British customs and being disrespectful to the Queen. However, Meghan has performed curtsies to the Queen at other public events, including the monarch's funeral in 2022.

The Queen was reportedly “uncomfortable with Prince Charles walking Meghan down the aisle

The Queen's apparent unhappiness at her grandson Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle has been the subject of much speculation. One reason that has been suggested for the Queen's sombre demeanour is her reported discomfort with the idea of Prince Charles, now King Charles, walking Meghan down the aisle.

This break with tradition was due to the absence of Meghan's father, Thomas Markle Sr., who was unable to attend due to heart surgery. In a departure from royal precedent, Prince Harry asked his father, Prince Charles, to walk Meghan down the aisle, and he was happy to oblige. According to royal commentator Myka Meier, this gesture was "a very kind gesture to show solidarity and great support for the royal couple from the British monarchy and senior royals."

However, according to Ingrid Seward, author of "My Mother and I," which explores King Charles' bond with the late Queen, the Queen shared that she was "not comfortable" with this arrangement. She felt it was inappropriate for the then-Prince of Wales to stand in for Meghan's father by escorting her down the aisle in front of millions of viewers.

The Queen's discomfort with this aspect of the wedding ceremony may have contributed to her seemingly unhappy expression. However, it is important to note that the Queen's attire and seating arrangements at the wedding also followed royal protocol and tradition, which may have influenced her overall demeanour.

Despite the Queen's reported discomfort with Prince Charles' role, he was proud of his participation in the wedding and even framed a black-and-white photo of the moment, which was displayed in a public area of Clarence House, his official residence.

She didn't enjoy the 14-minute sermon by Archbishop Michael Curry

Archbishop Michael Curry's sermon at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a memorable one. However, it seems that not everyone was a fan of his passionate and energetic delivery, including the Queen herself. Here are some possible reasons why the Queen didn't enjoy the sermon:

It was too long:

While the sermon was only 14 minutes, in the context of a formal and traditional royal wedding, this could be considered a bit too long. The Queen, known for her strict adherence to protocol, may have found the length of the sermon excessive.

It was unconventional:

Curry's preaching style, which included energetic hand gestures and passionate eye contact, might have been seen as too informal and unconventional for the Queen's taste. She is known for her traditional values, and Curry's modern and expressive approach may have been a bit too much for her.

The message was too progressive:

Curry's sermon, titled "The Power of Love," emphasised the importance of love in changing the world. While this message is inspiring, it might have been seen as too progressive or idealistic by the Queen. She may have preferred a more traditional and conservative focus during the ceremony.

It took attention away from the royal family:

The media and guests were captivated by Curry's passionate delivery and the powerful message of his sermon. However, this attention could have been seen as taking away from the royal family, particularly the bride and groom. The Queen, always the centre of attention at any event, may have found this shift in focus unsettling.

It didn't align with her religious or personal beliefs:

As the head of the Church of England, the Queen has strong religious beliefs. Curry's sermon, with its emphasis on love and social change, may have conflicted with her more traditional understanding of religion and its role in society. Additionally, his references to Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and the American context may not have resonated with her.

It was simply not her style:

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to public speaking and sermons. The Queen, being from a different generation and with a more reserved personality, may have simply found Curry's style too exuberant and expressive for her taste. She is known for her stoicism and restraint, and Curry's passionate delivery could have been a stark contrast to her usual preferences.

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