Harry's Wedding: Westminster Woes

There were a few reasons why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose not to wed at Westminster Abbey. Firstly, there was a lot of debate about where the couple would legally be allowed to marry due to Meghan's previous divorce. However, this was later clarified by Westminster Abbey, who stated that since 2002, it has been possible for divorced people to be married in the Church of England. Another reason was that the couple wanted a more low-key event, as Westminster Abbey can seat 2,000 guests, whereas St George's Chapel—where they eventually married—can hold about 800. This also helped to cut down on traffic and disruption in London. Finally, Prince Harry was baptised in St George's Chapel, and his father's second marriage was blessed there, so the venue holds a special significance for him.

Prince Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, is a divorcee

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a topic of much speculation, especially in regard to the venue. While Harry's older brother, William, wed at Westminster Abbey, Harry and Meghan did not. One of the reasons for this was Meghan's status as a divorcee.

Meghan Markle was previously married from 2011 to 2013. Old religious doctrine surrounding the Royals and the Church of England caused some debate about where the couple would be allowed to marry. Despite this, Westminster Abbey told the Daily Express that the couple could wed there, as it had been possible for divorced people to marry in the Church of England since 2002. However, it was believed that Harry would still need to get special permission from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Queen.

Other venues were considered, including St George’s Chapel in the precincts of Windsor Castle, Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Crathie Kirk near Balmoral, and St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, Norfolk.

In recent years, there have been rumours of trouble in the marriage of Harry and Meghan, with some even speculating that the couple were headed for divorce. However, sources close to the couple have denied these rumours, stating that they are "100 percent committed to making their marriage work".

Transatlantic travel to the UK is difficult for Harry due to security challenges

Transatlantic travel to the UK is difficult for Prince Harry due to security challenges. Prince Harry has been subjected to unfair treatment by the British government over the decision to take away his police protection when he is in Britain. Harry, along with other senior royals, had received full publicly-funded security protection before he decided to step back from his royal duties and move to California with his wife Meghan Markle in 2020. The Home Office decided that Harry would cease to automatically receive personal police security while in Britain, even if he were to cover the cost himself. Harry's lawyer, Shaheed Fatima, deemed the decision "unlawful and unfair." She also stated that Harry had been treated less favourably than others.

Harry's absence from the Duke of Westminster's wedding highlighted the difficulties he faces when travelling to the UK. The wedding was attended by his brother, Prince William, and cousin, Princess Eugenie. Harry was invited to the wedding but chose not to attend due to the "challenges of his attendance." Harry and the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, mutually agreed on the decision, and Harry sent his "love and support and admiration for the couple" on their wedding day. Harry's absence demonstrated the growing rift between him and his brother, with a royal expert stating that it was the "price he has to pay" for his self-imposed exile in America.

Harry's brother, Prince William, was an usher at the wedding

Prince Harry's brother, Prince William, was an usher at the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, and his bride, Olivia Henson. The wedding took place at Chester Cathedral, with around 400 guests in attendance. Prince William was one of approximately ten ushers, who showed guests to their seats as they arrived.

Prince William's role at the wedding was a formal one, and he was joined by his cousin, Princess Eugenie, who was also in attendance. The Prince of Wales was among the guests at the event, which was dubbed the "society wedding of the year".

Prince Harry, on the other hand, did not attend the wedding. It was reported that he had been invited but that it was understood between him and the Duke that it would be difficult for him to attend. Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have been based in California since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, and they no longer have access to their former home in the UK.

The decision for Prince Harry not to attend the wedding was a mutual one, and he sent his "love and support and admiration" to the couple for their wedding day.

Harry's attendance would have dominated headlines with speculation about his relationship with William

Prince Harry's attendance at the Duke of Westminster's wedding would have dominated headlines with speculation about his relationship with his brother, Prince William. The brothers have had a strained relationship since Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020 and moved to California. Harry's attendance at the wedding would have been the first time the brothers had met in person in at least two years.

Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they made a series of claims against the monarchy and members of the family, further strained Harry's relationship with his father, now King Charles III, and William. In the interview, Harry and Meghan accused unnamed members of the royal family of showing concern about what colour skin their son Archie may have. Harry later said he doesn't believe the royal family is racist, but rather, holds unconscious biases.

Harry's memoir, "Spare", also caused a rift in his relationship with his father and brother. In the book, Harry claimed that William had physically attacked him, and that Charles was jealous of Meghan, fearing that she had the potential to 'dominate the monarchy'. Harry also wrote about his father's relationship with Queen Camilla, describing it as 'not a prospect I relished', and adding that he and William had 'begged' Charles not to marry her.

Harry's attendance at the wedding would have been a highly anticipated moment, with the potential to overshadow the big day for the happy couple. It would have also been a challenging situation for Harry, as some of the guests in attendance were no longer on speaking terms with him.

Harry and Meghan wanted a more low-key event

While Westminster Abbey can seat 2,000 guests, St George's Chapel, the chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle, can hold about 800 guests. This gave Meghan and Harry a more low-key event and a venue that felt a little more intimate than the giant Westminster Abbey.

The choice of St George's Chapel also meant that Meghan and Harry could have their wedding procession and other traditional moments of the event in one space, cutting down on traffic and London mayhem.

St George's Chapel is considered one of the "finest examples of Gothic architecture in England" with incredible stone fan vaulting and stained glass windows. It's also steeped in history and is the final resting place for notable monarchs like King Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, Princess Margaret, and the Queen Mother.

Harry was also baptised in the chapel in 1984, and his father's second marriage to the Duchess of Cornwall was blessed in the chapel after their registrar office ceremony in 2005.

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