Junior Rasmussen
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's attendance at their grandson Prince Harry's wedding was in question until just days before the ceremony, as Prince Philip was recovering from hip replacement surgery. However, the couple did attend the wedding, arriving together at St. George's Chapel before the bride, in keeping with royal tradition. Queen Elizabeth, as Head of the Church of England, takes her duty as Defender of the Faith seriously, which is why she did not attend Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the wedding | 19 May 2018 |
| Queen Elizabeth's attendance | Confirmed |
| Prince Philip's attendance | Confirmed |
| Prince Philip's health status | Recovering from hip surgery |
| Queen Elizabeth's attire | Monochromatic bright green coat and a floral dress |
| Prince Philip's attire | Morning suit |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrived together
The Queen and Prince Philip's attendance at the wedding was in question until the last minute as the Duke of Edinburgh was recovering from hip replacement surgery at the time. Prince Philip had undergone surgery in mid-April and was recuperating at Windsor Castle, where the wedding took place. The palace only confirmed his attendance on the Friday before the wedding.
As the most senior members of the royal family, protocol dictates that the Queen and Prince Philip arrive last at events and engagements. However, an exception was made for Prince Harry's wedding, and the couple exited their car together just before Meghan drove up to the chapel. They were the last to arrive before the bride made her way down the aisle.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip shared a close bond with their grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry, especially after the death of their mother, Princess Diana. The couple marked their 70th wedding anniversary in the fall before Harry and Meghan's wedding.
Destination Wedding: Where to Say "I Do"?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Prince Philip recovering from hip surgery
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, underwent hip replacement surgery in April 2018. The surgery was deemed successful, and the prince was discharged from King Edward VII Hospital in London after more than a week of hospitalisation. He then continued his recovery at Windsor Castle, where he was expected to spend several days.
The 96-year-old Prince had complained of hip pain and trouble with the joint for about a month before the operation. He missed several family events, including an Easter church service with the Queen and other members of the royal family. The surgery was necessary due to his suffering from osteoarthritis.
Following his discharge, the prince was visited by his daughter, Princess Anne, who reported that he was "on good form." The Queen also shared an update with a well-wisher, relaying that "he's getting on very well." Prince Philip was expected to require weeks of aftercare, including rehabilitation to learn to walk again with the aid of a stick or crutches.
Despite his recent surgery, Prince Philip made an appearance at his grandson, Prince Harry's, wedding to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018. He walked into St. George's Chapel without the aid of a wheelchair, cane, or his wife's arm. The wedding was likely his first public appearance since the operation. It was speculated that he might not attend the wedding's two receptions and instead rest in his room, watching the ceremony on TV.
Meatloaf Wisdom: Ferrell's Wedding Crashers Quote
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Queen's vibrant outfit
The Queen's choice to wear an electric shade was not surprising, as she typically wears vibrant colours to official events. As Sophie, Countess of Wessex, explained in the documentary *The Queen at 90*: "She needs to stand out for people to be able to say 'I saw the Queen.'". The Queen herself once said, "I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am.".
Wedding Cars: How Many Will You Need?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Queen's role as Defender of the Faith
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch of the United Kingdom, passed away peacefully at Balmoral on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96. During her historic reign, she was known for her deep faith in God, which she expressed in her public statements and actions. One of her many titles, "Defender of the Faith", dates back to 1521 when it was first granted to King Henry VIII by Pope Leo X. The title recognises the monarch's position as the supreme governor of the Church of England and their role in defending the Christian faith.
While the title "Defender of the Faith" is not used in most Commonwealth realms, it remains a part of the monarch's full style in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In Canada, the title was initially included to signify the sovereign's role as a defender of faith in general, rather than a specific state religion. However, in 2023, the Canadian government introduced a bill to drop the reference to "Defender of the Faith", which was approved by parliament and given royal assent.
Queen Elizabeth II took her role as Defender of the Faith seriously and worked to reinterpret it for the modern era. She emphasised the need for openness to other faiths and Christian denominations, reflecting her understanding of stewardship and the humility of Christ. Her faith was evident in her Christmas messages, which became frank expressions of her Christian beliefs, providing a framework for her life.
Now, regarding the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, there was some uncertainty about whether Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip would attend due to Prince Philip's recent hip surgery. However, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Philip would make his post-surgery debut at the wedding, accompanying the Queen as supportive grandparents to the groom. They arrived together at St. George's Chapel, with the Queen in a vibrant green ensemble, true to her signature style of always standing out.
Your Dream Wedding: Bring Your Own Vendor
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Queen's arrival order
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrived together at St. George's Chapel, with Philip able to walk unaided. They exited their car and waved to the gathered crowds as they made their way inside. The Queen wore a bright green monochromatic coat with a floral dress underneath, including a hat featuring a purple floral accent, and carrying her signature black handbag. Philip wore a morning suit.
The Queen and Prince Philip's attendance at the wedding was in question until the days before the ceremony, as Prince Philip was recovering from hip replacement surgery.
Brittbox's Amazon Wedding Stream: What to Expect
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Queen Elizabeth II attended Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle.
Yes, Prince Philip attended the wedding, despite recovering from hip replacement surgery.
As the most senior member of the royal family, protocol dictates that the Queen arrives last to events and engagements. However, exceptions are made in the case of weddings, so she exited her car alongside Prince Philip just before Meghan drove up to St. George's Chapel.
Prince Philip attended the wedding ceremony and the first reception, but it is unclear whether he attended the second reception.
