Junior Rasmussen
There was much speculation about whether Queen Elizabeth would attend Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle. The Queen's attendance was uncertain because Markle is a divorcee, and the monarch takes her duty as Defender of the Faith seriously. Notably, the Queen did not attend her son Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles, who was also a divorcee. However, the Queen did attend her grandson's wedding on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the wedding | May 19, 2018 |
| Bride | Meghan Markle |
| Groom | Prince Harry |
| Queen's attendance | Yes |
| Reason for Queen's attendance | N/A |
| Reason for speculations about Queen's absence | Meghan Markle is a divorcee |
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What You'll Learn
The Queen attended Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle
The Queen attended her grandson Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. Although the Queen did not publicly confirm her attendance, it was widely expected that she would be present at the wedding. As the most senior member of the royal family, protocol dictates that the Queen arrives last at events and engagements. However, an exception was made for Prince Harry's wedding, and the Queen arrived just before Meghan drove up to the chapel.
The Queen wore a vibrant shade of green to the wedding, consistent with her penchant for rainbow shades. The Queen's biographer Robert Hardman once quoted her as saying, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am." The Queen's outfit stood out in contrast to the all-white ensemble worn by the bride, Meghan Markle.
The Queen's attendance at Prince Harry's wedding was notable given her absence at her son Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. The Queen, who is the Governor of the Church of England, did not publicly share her reasons for skipping her son's wedding. However, it is believed that her decision was due to Camilla being a divorcee. The Church of England teaches that "marriage is for life" and only permits the remarriage of divorced persons in exceptional circumstances.
Despite the Queen's previous tensions with Meghan Markle due to her marital history, the Queen set aside her worries and attended the wedding. Meghan Markle had been previously married to TV producer Trevor Engelson, whom she divorced in 2013. The Queen's attendance at Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle signaled a shift in attitudes within the royal family and a willingness to evolve and change with the times.
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The Queen did not attend Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles
The Queen did not attend her son Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles, now Queen Camilla, in 2005. The civil ceremony took place at Windsor Guildhall, followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George's Chapel. The Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, were notably absent from the civil ceremony but attended the service and held a reception for the couple at Windsor Castle afterward.
The Queen's absence from her son's wedding was speculated to be due to her role as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and her personal faith. The Church of England teaches that "marriage is for life" and, while it recognizes that marriages can fail, it maintains that remarriage is only permitted in exceptional circumstances. As Camilla was a divorcee, the Queen's decision to skip the ceremony was likely influenced by her religious duties and beliefs.
The Queen's attendance at her grandson Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018 was also a subject of speculation. Despite initial uncertainties, the Queen did attend Harry and Meghan's wedding. This contrast with her absence from Prince Charles' wedding highlights a potential shift in attitudes within the royal family or a willingness to adapt to changing times.
While the Queen's decision to miss her son's wedding may have been influenced by traditional values and her role as the Defender of the Faith, her presence at her grandson's wedding indicated a recognition of evolving societal norms and the importance of inclusivity within the royal family. This adaptability is reflected in the words of royal butler Grant Harrold, who emphasized the need for change and evolution within the royal family to ensure the happiness of its members.
In conclusion, the Queen's absence from Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005 was likely due to religious and traditional values, while her attendance at Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018 signaled a willingness to embrace change and modernity within the royal family.
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The Queen's role as Defender of the Faith
The title "Defender of the Faith" has been used by British monarchs since it was first granted to King Henry VIII by Pope Leo X in 1521. The title was bestowed in recognition of Henry's book "Assertio Septem Sacramentorum" (Defence of the Seven Sacraments), which defended the sacramental nature of marriage and the supremacy of the Roman Catholic Church. When Henry VIII later renounced the spiritual authority of the Papacy in 1534, he was proclaimed 'supreme head on earth' of the newly formed Church of England.
The title "Defender of the Faith" was reinstated during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who was proclaimed 'Supreme Governor' of the Church of England. This title, "Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England", has been held by all British monarchs since, including Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in 2022.
As Defender of the Faith, the Queen played a significant role in the Church of England, formally appointing Archbishops, Bishops and Deans, and having deacons and parish priests swear an oath of allegiance to her as Sovereign. The Queen took this role seriously, as evidenced by her absence from her son Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles, a divorced woman. The Church of England, at the time, did not permit the remarrying of divorced persons while their spouse was still alive.
The Queen's deep Christian faith was also evident in her public statements and actions. She was known for her eloquent Christmas messages, in which she often reflected on her faith and the theme of service. She was also recognised for her role in transforming Britain into a multi-ethnic, multi-faith society, with Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks praising her ability to navigate interfaith relations.
In summary, the Queen's role as Defender of the Faith was a significant aspect of her position as Sovereign. It carried responsibilities within the Church of England and reflected her own personal faith and values.
Queen Elizabeth II's attendance at Prince Harry's wedding
Queen Elizabeth II attended the wedding of her grandson, Prince Harry, to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018. The Queen's presence at the wedding was highly anticipated, although she did not publicly confirm her attendance beforehand.
The Queen's attendance at Prince Harry's wedding was notable, and she made an impact with her vibrant choice of colour, as is customary for her. She arrived just before Meghan drove up to St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, accompanied by Prince Philip.
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The Queen's arrival at Prince Harry's wedding
The Queen was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, as they exited their car before the bride's arrival. The vibrant shade of green she wore stood out, as is customary for the Queen, who is often quoted as saying, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am." This colourful choice was not seen as an attempt to steal focus from the bride but rather as a way to ensure that she was visible to those in attendance.
The Queen's presence at the wedding held special significance due to her role as the Defender of the Faith and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. This role had previously led to speculation about her attendance, as Meghan Markle, the bride, was a divorcee. The Queen had not attended her son Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles, who was also a divorcee, citing her personal faith and position as the reason for her absence.
However, the Queen set aside any concerns and attended her grandson's wedding, marking a notable moment in the royal family's evolution and their willingness to adapt to changing times.
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The Queen's colourful outfit at Prince Harry's wedding
The Queen's outfit at Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle was a colourful and vibrant choice. The monarch is known for her bright fashion choices, and her grandson's wedding was no exception.
Her Majesty the Queen wore a bright lemon and lime silk outfit by Stuart Parvin. The official description from the palace described the dress as "a delicately flared dress in lime, lemon, purple and grey printed silk" and the coat as "an edge-to-edge coat with a frogging fastening in lime silk tweed." The Queen paired the outfit with a matching hat by Angela Kelly, made using the same lime silk tweed and adorned with handmade lace crystals and pearls by Lucy Price.
The Queen's choice to wear such a colourful outfit may have been intentional. In the documentary 'The Queen at 90', Sophie, Countess of Wessex, explained that her mother-in-law chooses rainbow shades so that she stands out and is easily recognised by the crowds. The Queen herself once said, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am."
The Queen's vibrant outfit at Prince Harry's wedding certainly ensured she stood out, and it was a memorable choice for such a happy occasion.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Queen attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding on May 19, 2018.
There was speculation that the Queen would not attend her grandson's wedding because Meghan Markle is a divorcee. The Queen did not attend her son, Prince Charles's wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles, who is also a divorcee.
The Queen arrived at the wedding alongside her husband, Prince Philip, just before Meghan Markle drove up to St. George's Chapel.
The Queen wore a vibrant shade of green.
The Queen is the Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, which does not permit the remarriage of divorced persons while their spouse is still alive.
