Moving reason Princess Eugenie left an empty seat at her wedding
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When Princess Eugenie wed Jack Brooksbank, the joyous occasion saw the entire Royal family gather to celebrate their union.
The couple exchanged vows at St George's Chapel in Windsor nearly seven years ago, with a guest list that included Queen Elizabeth II and other senior royals, as well as celebrity friends like singer Robbie Williams and supermodel Cara Delevingne.
Despite over 850 guests witnessing Eugenie and Jack exchange vows and rings, one peculiar detail caught the attention of many Royal enthusiasts. Although the bustling chapel was packed with attendees, one prime seat directly in front of the Queen remained vacant, despite it being the best spot in the house.
Speculation was rife about the reason for the unoccupied seat, with some suggesting it was due to a no-show on the day, while others believed it was left empty as a tribute to a deceased relative.
However, the real reason was actually rooted in tradition - the seat in front of the Queen was kept vacant so her view of the altar was unobstructed. This particular seat is also said to be one that the late Queen "didn't find comfortable", explaining why she chose to sit in the second row of pews.
Historically, the Queen and the Royal family would occupy the right-hand choir pews at St George's Chapel, with the Queen seated on the far-right as the rest of the senior royals sat to her left, reports the Mirror.
For Eugenie's wedding, the then-Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were seated in the second row.
The bride's parents, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, were positioned in the front row with Princess Beatrice and Zara and Mike Tindall, albeit further along the pew.
This arrangement allowed the late Queen, who was only five foot three inches tall, a clear view of the ceremony. The same seat had been left vacant months earlier at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in the same chapel.
The late monarch also notably occupied the same spot at Prince Philip's 2021 funeral, her husband of 73 years, sitting alone due to Covid social distancing measures. Buckingham Palace insiders reveal that the tradition of leaving the seat empty has continued since Charles ascended the throne.
At Queen Elizabeth's committal service in 2022, shortly after her death, the chair in front of Charles was kept vacant. There have been instances where the Royal Family has paid tribute to the deceased by leaving a chair unoccupied.
Since their glamorous 2018 wedding, Eugenie and Jack have become parents to two children. Their eldest son, August, was born in February 2021, and he became an older brother in May 2023 when Ernest was born.
When Ernest was born, Eugenie revealed the meaning behind his full name: Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank, stating: "He is named after his great great great Grandfather George, his Grandpa George and my Grandpa Ronald."
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