Pippa's Wedding Snub: Why Was She Excluded?

Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews in May 2017 sparked interest from the public and media, particularly regarding the guest list. One notable question was why Vogue Williams, the girlfriend of the groom's brother, Spencer Matthews, was not invited. It was speculated that Pippa disliked Vogue due to her frequent bikini posts on Instagram, and a no ring, no bring policy was cited as the reason for Vogue's exclusion. In contrast, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's then-girlfriend, was invited, despite initial reluctance from Pippa and her mother, Carole. They were concerned that Meghan's presence alongside Harry might overshadow the main event. Ultimately, Meghan attended only the reception and took precautions to avoid media attention at the church.

Pippa Middleton's wedding guest list

On 20 May 2017, Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of Catherine, Princess of Wales, married her longtime boyfriend, financier James Matthews. The wedding took place at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire, a few miles from the Middleton family home.

The guest list for the wedding included members of the Middleton family, including Pippa's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and her brother, James Middleton. The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, Princess of Wales, was also in attendance, tending to the young wedding attendants, including her daughter, Princess Charlotte, who was a bridesmaid, and her son, Prince George, who served as a page boy. Other page boys included Casimir Tatos, Edward Sebire, and William Ward, while the other bridesmaids were Countess Philippa Hoyos, Lily French, and Avia Horner.

Prince Harry also attended the wedding with his brother, Prince William. Prince Harry's then-girlfriend, Meghan Markle, was initially invited to the wedding but decided not to attend the ceremony at the last minute. Markle and Prince Harry were not seated together at the reception due to Pippa's strict table arrangements that separated significant others.

Other notable guests at the wedding included tennis player Roger Federer and his wife, Mirka Federer, Princess Eugenie, and James Brookbank, and Spencer Matthews and Donna Air.

Meghan Markle's invitation

In May 2017, Meghan Markle was invited to Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews. However, there was some reluctance from Middleton and her mother, Carole, to invite Markle, as they were concerned that her presence, alongside Prince Harry, would "overshadow the main event". At the time, there were rumours that Markle and Prince Harry were dating, and the press were keen to get a picture of the couple together.

On the day of the wedding, The Sun published a cover story comparing Pippa and Meghan's figures, with a headline referring to the event as the "'Wedding of the Rears". After this, Markle and Prince Harry decided that she should not attend the ceremony, as they did not want to attract extra attention or distract from Pippa's moment.

Markle did, however, attend the reception, wearing a "deliberately unflashy" long black gown. Prince Harry drove to London to collect her, and they then drove to the Middleton estate for the reception. At the reception, the couple were not allowed to sit together, as Pippa had requested that all couples sit apart for dinner.

The dress code

The wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews was one of the most high-profile society events of the year, with a guest list combining royalty, celebrities, and society figures. The dress code for the wedding was a specific and carefully considered aspect of the event.

Middleton requested that guests bring two outfits: one for the ceremony and one for the reception. This unusual dress code caused a flurry of excitement and logistical questions in the press. It is not known whether all guests complied with this request, but it is likely that many did, as the wedding was a highly anticipated and prestigious event.

The ceremony took place at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire, a 12th-century church with historical significance for the Middleton family. The reception was held in the grounds of the couple's home in Bucklebury, with a massive glass greenhouse also built to accommodate guests.

Overall, the dress code for the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews was a notable aspect of the event, with guests expected to bring two outfits to accommodate the different settings and atmospheres of the ceremony and reception.

The location

After the ceremony, the wedding reception was held at the Middleton family home, Bucklebury Manor, which is a Grade II-listed historical residence surrounded by 18 acres of gardens and woodland. A massive glass greenhouse was built in the grounds to accommodate guests, with an approximate capacity of 300 people. The Middletons' home was just seven miles from the church, making it a convenient and scenic location for the couple's nuptials.

The groom

James Matthews, a former race car driver and current hedge fund manager, is the groom in his wedding to Pippa Middleton. Matthews manages a hedge fund and is the chief executive of Eden Rock Capital Management Group, which he established over 10 years ago. He shares Pippa's love of sports, having joined her in a grueling 47-mile Otillo swim-run in Sweden.

Matthews proposed to Pippa in July 2016 in the picturesque Lake District of northwest England. At the time, the couple had been dating for less than a year, although they had been romantically linked previously. The couple first dated in 2012 before splitting up, and Pippa went on to date Nico Jackson for three years. Matthews was spotted by Pippa's side again during a St. Barts vacation with her brother, James Middleton, three months after she and Jackson parted ways.

Pippa's family members quickly expressed their approval and happiness about the engagement. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge issued a statement saying they were "absolutely delighted with the news." Pippa and Kate's father, Michael Middleton, said, "They make a wonderful couple, and we wish them every happiness together."

On their wedding day, the groom greeted guests at the entrance to the church and appeared relaxed, even sharing a joke with his younger brother, Spencer. The best man and ushers wore suits with dusty pink ties.

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