British royal family news shows that a royal wedding is a source of wonder and enchantment for commoners who can only dream of the lavish excess displayed at such nuptials.
AMP in the post
At a royal wedding the brides wear jewel-encrusted tiaras, and grooms are resplendent in full military garb.
Additionally there is sure to be a gilded carriage plus lots of ritualistic pomp and circumstance. And then there is the fairy tale aspect, with the beautiful bride being made a princess after years of toad kissing.
Here, we take a look back at some of the royal family’s most memorable wedding ceremonies.
Royal Family News – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and basic cable actress Meghan Markle wed at St. George’s Chapel on May 19, 2018. And the monarchy would never be the same again.
AMP in the post
According to Vogue, the duo were introduced by a mutual friend and announced their engagement in late 2018. At the time we knew nothing of the bitter backstabbing, tears and accusations going on behind the scenes of this fairy tale wedding.
A few years later, the Markles spilled all the dirt to a gobsmacked Oprah Winfrey, and never has a couple’s popularity plunged so fast.
Takeaway: it was nice while it lasted?
Royal Family News – Prince William and Kate Middleton
AMP in the post
Prince William and Kate Middleton married on April 29, 2011. They met in 2001 while attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. As the story goes, they were a couple in two short years, but William called time out on the relationship in 2007.
Luckily he came to his senses and got back together with Catherine—can you imagine the monarchy today without Princess Kate?
They went on to have three beautiful children: Prince George in 2013, Princess Charlotte in 2015, and Prince Louis, in April 2018.
Takeaway: Thank heaven for Kate Middleton.
Royal Family News – Prince Charles and Diana Spencer
Then-Prince Charles married a very young Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981 at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
In the beginning Princess Diana was a dutiful wife, dedicated humanitarian, and doting mom to Prince William and Prince Harry.
But it all went south when she did a BBC interview in which she called out Charles and his mistress Camilla for having an affair. Queen Elizabeth was outraged and demanded the pair divorce, which they did. In 1997 Diana died in a car crash in Paris.
Takeaway: Queen Camilla now reigns supreme.
Royal News – Prince Edward And Wallis Simpson
Prince Edward married Wallis Simpson on June 3, 1937 at Château de Candé. Why did the couple marry at such a dive (relatively speaking)? Because he abdicated his kingdom for the woman he loved.
Edward held the title King of the United Kingdom in 1936 but after becoming smitten with twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson he stepped down and accepted a new title: the Duke of Windsor. Simpson became the Duchess of Windsor and their union reportedly was fraught till the end.
Takeaway: Think twice before throwing down one’s crown (looking at you, Harry).
Royal Family News – Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones
Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones married on May 6, 1960. Perhaps overshadowing the union was the fact that Jones was not the bride’s first choice. In a very public incident, Princess Margaret’s sister, Queen Elizabeth, forbid the bride to marry her first choice.
In the end she settled on photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones and they went on to have two children and a divorce.
Takeaway: Always marry for love.
Royal Family News – Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip
Queen Elizabeth married Prince Philip on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey.
They met when she was 13, and Prince Philip 18, in 1939. They started their romance by exchanging letters and fell in love.
In 1947 their engagement was announced and they were married that same year. The couple had four children, including the Queen’s heir and current monarch, King Charles.
The Queen passed away on September 8, 2022 following a 70 year reign; Philip died the year before.
Takeaway: Queen Elizabeth was the most beloved queen in modern history, perhaps owing to her motto: ‘never complain, never explain.’
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with the royal family. Come back here often for royal family news and updates.
Editorial credit: Blueskynet / Shutterstock.com