Princess Beatrice marries in secret Windsor Castle ceremony

THE VENUE

THE DUCHESS OF SUSSEX AND PRINCESS EUGENIE: ST GEORGE’S CHAPEL

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank leave St George’s Chapel, Windsor on their wedding day

The Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie both tied the knot in lavish ceremonies at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The venue was also chosen by Lady Gabriella Windsor. 

Steeped in history, the 15th century Gothic chapel offers royal couples a slightly more intimate venue for their wedding, but one that is still appropriately grand. 

It usually holds around 800 guests, compared with the 2,000 capacity of Westminster Abbey, where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge married in 2011.

Located within the castle’s grounds and surrounded by the Horseshoe Cloisters and the Henry VIII gate, the venue provides the royal family with a certain amount of privacy on the day of the wedding. 

PRINCESS BEATRICE: CHAPEL OF ALL SAINTS

The modest chapel, which was refurbished by George IV in the 1820s, is significantly smaller than St George’s Chapel where her sister Eugenie wed last year with a capacity of just 180 guests.

The chapel is on the grounds of the Royal Lodge, where the Duke and Duchess of York have been staying in lockdown.

According to the St George’s parish website, the Queen normally worships at the Chapel of All Saints for reasons of privacy.

She attends services at the larger St George’s Chapel, where Prince Harry and Meghan wed in 2017, on certain special occasions, such as the Easter morning service every year.

The All Saints Chapel has also been home to more intimate gatherings throughout the royal’s history, including the Queen mother’s funeral in 2002.

The Queen mother lived in the Royal Lodge as a widow and would regularly attend service there, as it’s only 100 yards from the entrance. Queen Victoria also attended services in the chapel.  

The modest Chapel of All Saints, which was refurbished by George IV in the 1820s, is significantly smaller than St George’s Chapel where her sister Eugenie wed last year with a capacity of just 180 guests

THE GUEST LIST 

THE DUCHESS OF SUSSEX AND PRINCESS EUGENIE: CELEBRITIES, SPORTING STAR, ARISTOCRATIC PALS AND EXTENDED FAMILY 

The congregation for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May 2018 read like a who’s who of Hollywood royalty, with Amal and George Clooney (left) and Oprah Winfrey (right) among those invited

Also in attendance was Meghan’s glamorous girl gang, including Priyanka Chopra, Abigail Spencer, Jessica Mulroney and Misha Nonoo. Pictured, Abigail Spencer (front left) and Priyanka Chopra (front right) with fellow guests at the wedding

The Duchess of Sussex and Princess Beatrice both had star-studded weddings with hundreds of guests. 

The congregation for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May 2018 read like a who’s who of Hollywood royalty, with Oprah Winfrey and Amal and George Clooney among those invited. Also in attendance was Meghan’s glamorous girl gang, including Priyanka Chopra, Abigail Spencer, Jessica Mulroney and Misha Nonoo. 

The large guest list also allowed for large numbers of extended family to be invited, with Kate Middleton’s siblings and their respective partners all making the cut. 

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s nuptials were just as starry, with Ellie Goulding, Robbie and Ayda Williams all attending. 

Their well-heeled circle of friends were also well represented, with Sir Richard Branson’s daughter Holly and Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas all at the chapel.  

PRINCESS BEATRICE: CLOSE FAMILY ONLY 

Princess Beatrice and Edo would have been allowed a maximum of 30 people at their wedding due to ongoing government restrictions. Photos reveal the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were among those attended and it is likely the bride’s grandparents would have been among the congregation. 

However the restricted numbers mean it is a far less starry affair than they otherwise might have hoped and there will have been fewer members of the royal family in attendance. 

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, for example, might have remained in Norfolk, rather than travel down with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are celebrating Camilla’s 73rd birthday privately in Wiltshire and so would not have attended. 

The bride’s other cousins, including Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, would also likely missed out due to the small numbers. The pair and their families would have attended a larger ceremony.

It is not known if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would have flown over from LA for the larger affair, but they almost certainly did not make the journey for the more intimate service. 

THE CELEBRATIONS 

THE DUCHESS OF SUSSEX AND PRINCESS EUGENIE: CARRIAGE PROCESSIONS, TWO WEDDING RECEPTIONS AND A DAY TWO PARTY FOR EUGENIE

Both Princess Eugenie and Meghan Markle began married life with a carriage procession around Windsor to greet royal fans and wellwishers. 

After Meghan and Harry tied the knot, the Queen hosted a lunchtime reception at Windsor Castle for 600 guests, who were served canapes, champagne and wedding cake. 

The bride then changed into her second dress – a Stella McCartney halter neck gown – and partied the night away with 200 guests at an evening reception for 200 people, hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House.  

Princess Eugenie took things one step further, eclipsing even Meghan and Harry’s glamorous nuptials with two days of partying. 

Similar to Harry and Meghan, the couple enjoyed a lunchtime reception at St George’s Hall for 850 guests with finger food and champagne, hosted by the Queen.

The couple enjoyed an evening reception with a sit-down meal and dancing at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, the Princess’ family home, where festivities went on until the early hours.

 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoyed an evening reception for 200 guests at Frogmore House after their wedding, with the bride earing a Stella McCartney gown. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank at Royal Lodge, Windsor, ahead of the private evening dinner following their wedding. Princess Eugenie’s evening dress was designed by Zac Posen

PRINCESS BEATRICE: PARTY AT A LATER DATE

While a carriage procession was never on the cards for Princess Beatrice, who was always planning a more low key celebration, the rest of her festivities have been even more subdued than expected.

While the couple will no doubt celebrate with their families, Beatrice and Edo will have to wait for a later date to party with friends. 

And the Queen was unable to linger after the wedding ceremony to spend time with the newlyweds. 

This afternoon Her Majesty was back on duty bestowing Captain Tom Moore with a knighthood, her first official public engagement since lockdown in March.