Royals' Exes At Weddings: A Symbolic Gesture?

It's not uncommon for royals to invite their exes to their weddings. Prince Harry, for example, invited his ex-girlfriends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas to his wedding to Meghan Markle. Prince William also invited five of his exes to his wedding to Kate Middleton. But why do royals invite their exes to their weddings? One reason could be that they have remained friendly with their exes. For instance, Harry has stayed on good terms with Davy and Bonas, and William is said to have remained close friends with his ex Jecca Craig. Another reason could be that they run in the same social circles. Bonas is close friends with Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie, and Davy said that she and Harry would always be good friends. Inviting exes could also be considered a gentlemanly tradition set by their fathers.

It's a tradition set by their father

Inviting exes to weddings is a tradition set by their father, King Charles III. When he married Princess Diana, he invited two of his ex-girlfriends, including Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who is now his wife.

Prince William followed in his father's footsteps and invited five of his ex-girlfriends to his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011. These included Jecca Craig, Olivia Hunt, Arabella Musgrave, Rose Farquhar, and Isabella Calthorpe. Similarly, Prince Harry invited his ex-girlfriends, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, to his wedding to Meghan Markle.

Inviting exes to royal weddings may be seen as a sign of mutual respect and a way to put the past behind and celebrate love. It is also a way to contain gossip sources and maintain social standing within the small world of British royalty and their friends.

While it may be unusual for some, inviting exes to weddings is a tradition that has been set by the royal family, with King Charles III leading the way.

It's a gentlemanly thing to do

Prince William invited five ex-girlfriends to his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011. These included Jecca Craig, whom he dated during his Eton years, Olivia Hunt, whom he dated before Kate, Rose Farquhar, with whom he had a brief relationship, Arabella Musgrave, whom he dated in 2001, and Isabella Calthorpe, whom he was said to have a crush on.

Prince Harry also invited two of his ex-girlfriends, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, to his wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018. Harry dated Davy on and off for several years in his early twenties, and Bonas for two years. Both relationships ended on good terms, and Harry remained friends with both women, running in similar social circles and attending events together.

It is worth noting that William and Harry's weddings were considered ''semi-state' occasions, as they are not the direct heirs to the throne, which allowed for more flexibility with their guest lists.

They're on good terms

It's no secret that weddings can be dramatic affairs, and inviting exes can be a controversial choice. However, there are several reasons why royals might choose to extend an invitation to their former partners, indicating that they are on good terms.

Firstly, it is common for royals to move in similar social circles as their exes, which can make it difficult to avoid encountering them at social events, including weddings. For example, Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, was quoted as saying that she believed she and Harry would "always be good friends". Maintaining a friendly relationship with an ex can make social gatherings more comfortable for both parties.

Additionally, the royal family is a small world, and it's not uncommon for exes to remain in the same social circle. This was the case with Prince William and his ex-girlfriend, Jecca Craig. By inviting an ex to their wedding, royals can demonstrate their willingness to remain amicable and avoid social awkwardness.

Another reason for inviting exes could be the desire to maintain a sense of tradition and uphold the family honour. Inviting exes to royal weddings is a long-standing tradition, and it is seen as a gentlemanly gesture. By doing so, royals can showcase their respect for their former partners and their families, even if the relationship didn't work out.

Furthermore, royals may invite exes to their weddings out of courtesy, especially if the relationship ended on good terms. For instance, Princess Catherine invited her ex-boyfriend, Rupert Finch, to her wedding to Prince William. This gesture can be seen as a sign of maturity and an acknowledgment of the role that person played in their life, even if it didn't lead to a lifelong partnership.

Lastly, the royal family has to consider the public perception of their actions. By inviting exes, royals can showcase their ability to move on amicably and put the past behind them. It demonstrates mutual respect and a willingness to celebrate love, even if it's with someone new.

They run in the same social circles

The world of British royals and their friends is tiny. Running in the same social circles as their exes, the royals are expected to get along and hang out with them. This is because the upper class is a small circle, and to stay in it, one must get along with their exes.

The royal family and their friends are so intertwined that it is inevitable to run into an ex at some point. For instance, Princess Eugenie played matchmaker for Prince Harry and his ex-girlfriend, Cressida Bonas. Bonas is also close friends with Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie. In addition, Harry was spotted in the audience of plays Bonas performed in, more than a year after their breakup. Similarly, Lady Gabriella Windsor's husband, Thomas Kingston, invited his ex, Pippa Middleton, to his wedding. Pippa is the sister of Princess Catherine, who is married to Prince William.

The royals' social circle is so close-knit that old friends become something more, and who stay in the fold once time has been called on their romance. For example, Prince William dated Rose Farquhar, who was also his childhood friend. They remained close, and Farquhar returned the favour when she got married 11 years later. William also remained friends with another ex, Olivia Hunt, who was invited to his wedding. She, in turn, invited him to her wedding to Nicholas Wilkinson in 2016.

In addition to running in the same social circles, there are other reasons why royals invite their exes to their weddings. Firstly, it is a gentlemanly thing to do, and a tradition set in place by their father. Secondly, William and Harry have remained friendly with many of their exes. Thirdly, William is not the current heir to the throne, so his wedding was considered a 'semi-state' occasion, and Harry's was even less so, allowing for more flexibility with their guest lists.

It's a small world

When it comes to royal weddings, it's not uncommon to spot an ex or two in the pews. This tradition of inviting former partners might seem odd to some, but within the royal circle, it's not uncommon. It's a testament to the close-knit nature of this exclusive world. After all, royalty is a small circle, and when you date a royal, you often become part of their social circle, which can be challenging to escape.

Take, for instance, the case of Prince Harry, who invited his ex-girlfriends, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, to his wedding to Meghan Markle. Both women had dated Harry for several years, and despite the relationships ending, they remained on good terms and continued to move in similar social circles. Bonas, for example, is close friends with Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie.

This phenomenon is not unique to Harry. His brother, Prince William, also invited several ex-girlfriends to his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011. These included Jecca Craig, Olivia Hunt, Arabella Musgrave, Rose Farquhar, and Isabella Calthorpe.

But this tradition of inviting exes to royal weddings is not a new one. Perhaps the most famous example is that of Prince Charles, who invited his ex-girlfriend, Camilla Parker-Bowles, to his wedding to Princess Diana. This invitation was particularly notable as Diana knew of Charles' ongoing affection for Camilla, and she later recalled scanning the crowd for her during her walk down the aisle.

In some cases, the exes of royals go on to form new relationships within the same social circle. For example, Rupert Finch, one of Kate Middleton's ex-boyfriends, later married Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, a dear friend of William's.

So, while inviting exes to weddings might seem like an unusual tradition to outsiders, within the royal world, it's a reflection of the close connections and complex social dynamics that exist within this exclusive society. It's a small world, and when you're part of it, you're often in it for life, even if your romantic relationships don't stand the test of time.

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