Ten years ago my best friend and I spent the very early hours of April 29th together watching Prince William marry Miss. Catherine Middleton in Westminster Abbey. Both fans of all things royalty; especially the British monarchy we decided to celebrate in style. Mimosas were concocted and a traditional English breakfast was prepared and savoured between our squeals of delight!
With the third wedding anniversary of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle on May 19 I figured I would flashback. For their wedding, my best friend and I were unable to get together but we still celebrated with a continuous stream of text messages.
She celebrated in Calgary while I celebrated in Falun; by waking up at 3am and brewing myself a VERY strong cup of coffee and snuggling in on the couch. My puppy snored away on the floor beside me. I must confess it was quite a different experience watching it on my own, despite texting her like every other second. I really wished we had been able to spend this momentous occasion together.
Among my wedding highlights…
1. Title
I was very eager to wake up to find out what title the Queen was going to bestow on Harry and his new wife. It had been long speculated that they would become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, however, nothing is final until the Palace announces it. The Queen could have potentially made him the Duke of Clarence; since it too was available.
But, the choice of Sussex is most fitting. It has been noted since the last person to hold this title was anti-slavery campaigner and supporter of rights for Catholics and Jews. Both Harry and Meghan have made it (and will continue to make it) their life’s work to champion the rights of others. As well, it has been reported that Meghan’s mother’s family had been slaves on the cotton plantations in Georgia. Meghan is descended from a long line of trailblazers, so it would make sense that she will be the FIRST woman to be the Duchess of Sussex.
Harry was also made Earl of Dumbarton (for use in Scotland) and Baron of Kilkeel (for use in Northern Ireland). Meghan’s corresponding titles include: Countess of Dumbarton and Baroness of Kilkeel.
2. Tiara
There was as much speculation about the tiara as there was about the dress. Meghan chose Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau (1932). It most certainly held its own underneath that veil; and sparkled on that long carriage ride through the streets of Windsor. Some were shocked she didn’t wear a tiara associated with Diana, however, I think this day needed to be about Harry and Meghan. They included her, probably in many ways that the public don’t fully realize; as those touches wouldn’t be obvious to us. Her engagement ring, designed by Harry with the inclusion of two diamonds from Diana’s collection was much closer to her heart (literally; re: vena amoris) than a diamond tiara. More about the tiara can be found on a fantastic blog: From Her Majesty’s Jewel Vault.
3. Uniform
There is something to be said about a man in uniform. Around the world, hearts broke as the handsome Harry got married and was OFFICIALLY off the market. Personally, I never questioned whether or not Harry would wear a uniform. He is a distinguished military officer in his own right and he dedicates much time and energy to working with veterans. It was at the Invictus Games that Harry and Meghan made their debut in Toronto. On Instagram @KensingtonRoyal (formally) announced that “Both Prince Harry and The Duke of Cambridge will wear the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals. Her Majesty The Queen gave her permission for Prince Harry to get married in his uniform. Both uniforms were tailored at Dege & Skinner on Savile Row.” I thought it was especially sweet that, unlike at William’s wedding, the brothers were matching. Intentional or not, it demonstrated the deep bond they both share.
4. Best Dressed
My top three stand out guests were…
–Amal Clooney, in a yellow dress with side drape by Stella McCartney and hat by Stephen Jones. Husband, George accented her ensemble with his splashes of a more subdued shade of yellow.
–Kitty Spencer, in an emerald green slim-fit dress featuring bold flower print at the bottom by Dolce & Gabbana, topped off with a matching Philip Treacy fascinator and a diamond choker I am in envy of.
–Karen Spencer, in her violet Pamella Roland dress with bolero cape. I simply love her fascinator as well.
5. Tender Moments
Harry and Meghan’s lovely day was full of genuine love and sweetness that is expected of a wedding. Yes, it was a royal wedding; there was pomp and circumstance to some extent but ultimately it was a deeply personal wedding that blended tradition and modernity, British and American perfectly. This love and sweetness was not only reserved between the bride and groom despite there being many examples of it.
-It was rather upsetting for the future Duchess of Sussex to have to announce to the world (just days before her wedding) that her father was not able to walk her down the aisle for health reasons. However, it was incredibly touching that she asked her future father-in-law, Prince Charles. He looked so proud and happy to fill in.
-Harry lifting Meghan’s stunning cathedral veil to reveal her beaming smile and gorgeous tiara. And of course this led to the infamous “lip bite” from Harry. We didn’t experience this moment at William and Kate’s wedding, as her father, Michael performed this task. It was pointed out that perhaps the length of the veil was a subtle nod to Diana’s own veil; whether or not that was the case, that veil was simply amazing!
-While Harry and Meghan sat listening to Rev. Curry performing his sermon, the couple sat holding hands (as they did for basically the entire morning), but at one point Harry looked down at Meghan’s hand and fiddled slightly with the engagement ring as they both remembered Diana. The look of love between them could have melted the iciest and most skeptical of hearts.
-Mike Tindall lovingly resting his hand on pregnant wife, Zara’s stomach; looking at her, probably remembering the happiness they felt on their own wedding day and thinking forward to the next chapter of their lives.
-The Duchess of Cambridge only 4 weeks postpartum, still in the habit of resting her own hand on her bump did so during one of the songs, probably missing her newborn son, Louis, greatly. She also shared a sweet moment with Princess Charlotte at the end of the ceremony on the steps. Stooping to her young daughter’s level and either pointing out the horse drawn carriage, reminding her to wave or remarking on how beautiful her new, Aunt looked.
-My all time FAVOURITE tender moment was the exchange of rings. Yes, I said RINGS…plural. Harry bucked tradition and Meghan placed a platinum band on his finger. Harry looked very happy to be receiving it and truly committing to his new wife.