Latest news with #WestminsterAbbey
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
On This Day, June 2: U.S. F-16 shot down over Bosnia O'Grady rescued
On this date in history: In 1865, the Civil War officially came to an end when Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, commander of Confederate forces west of the Mississippi, signed the surrender terms offered by Union negotiators. In 1886, U.S. President Grover Cleveland, 49, married Frances Folsom, the 21-year-old daughter of his former law partner, in a White House ceremony. The bride became the youngest first lady in U.S. history. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act into law, extending citizenship to all Native Americans born within the United States and its territories. In 1946, in a national referendum, voters in Italy decided the country should become a republic rather than return to a monarchy. The results were officially announced three days later after votes were counted. In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in London's Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury. A year earlier, upon receiving word of her father's death, the former Princess Elizabeth broke down and wept. In 1985, police near San Francisco arrested Leonard Lake, who, along with an accomplice, Charles Ng, were accused of between 11 to 25 murders. Lake killed himself in jail before he could go to trial. Ng was convicted in 11 homicides in 1999 and sentenced to death. In 1992, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton clinched the Democratic presidential nomination. In 1995, a U.S. F-16 fighter-jet was shot down by a Serb-launched missile while on patrol over Bosnia. The pilot, Air Force Capt. Scott O'Grady, ejected safely and landed behind Serb lines. He was rescued six days later. In 1997, a federal jury in Denver convicted Timothy McVeigh in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people. He was sentenced to death and executed June 11, 2001. In 2004, Ken Jennings won his first game on Jeopardy! It started a string that ended after a record 74 wins and more than $2.5 million in winnings. In 2010, a 52-year-old British taxi driver was accused of a shooting rampage in which 13 people were slain and 11 others injured before he killed himself. In 2014, Seattle's City Council approved a $15 hourly minimum wage -- the highest in the United States. In 2024, Mexicans elect former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum as their first female and first Jewish president.
Sky News
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
My week with Prince William, the quiet disruptor
Photographed in a beam of sunlight, Prince William walked through Westminster Abbey with the King behind him. The ornate robes of the Order of the Bath service, two weeks ago, felt like a world away from the more modern image he wants to portray. But as a man bestowed with so many traditional titles, it's a new role he's shaping for himself that is more intriguing - William, the quiet disruptor. In a week when Time Magazine named the Prince and Princess of Wales in its top 100 philanthropists list for "modernising royal philanthropy", I spent the week following the prince on various engagements. None of them particularly headline-grabbing, but all examples of how he's setting out to do things differently, or underlining the challenges, and potential criticisms, he faces doing things his own way. Take Tuesday, for example. We weren't expecting him to turn up as we waited at the Soho Hotel in London to watch a new series of films about the dangers faced by wildlife rangers, a project described as "the brainchild" of Prince William. But all of a sudden, there he was in the room, taking the mic to explain what it really means to him. Speaking about his drive to "give a voice to the voiceless", it was indicative of what feels like a greater desire from him to articulate more publicly what he stands for. Since November, when he described how he wanted to carry out his duties with "a smaller r in the royal", you've got the sense William, and his team, have further wanted to cement in our minds where he sees his role. From conversations this week, with those who work closely with him, the word "convening" came up time and again; the prince doesn't want to waste what he knows is a unique position, to bring people together, start conversations and support those who are already doing amazing things in their communities. Shifting the dial But this isn't just about him personally. This is now a man whose vision for the monarchy, I'm told, is increasingly driven by a desire to "shift the dial on global leadership" where others may be failing. With palace sources telling me he'd be more than happy to "be acknowledged" as a quiet disruptor, despite the criticism his new ways of working might bring. Those who've known him a long time will tell you this compulsion to do things differently has been there for some time. Dr Tessy Ojo, the chief executive from The Diana Award, has worked with Prince William and Prince Harry for over 20 years. She said: "They would never do royal engagements from the sense of cutting the ribbon or simply being poster people. We were very clearly warned if you wanted any form of engagement, it almost had to have a whole strategy behind it." She told me she has always sensed how much William appreciates the responsibility that comes with his role, especially in a world where "there's a massive demand on leadership… there's a lot of distrust on leaders". "What people wanted 40 years ago from their monarch is completely different," she said. "I think it's super important that as the heir, as the next monarch, he's very in tune with what the people want, and what people expect. And being able to be that 21st century monarch, who is a present dad, but also a leader who understands how to use your leadership for social good". A modern royal Wednesday, and William walked into a sweaty, but infectiously positive, community hall in Leith in Edinburgh. No ribbon cutting here, but this is the kind of visit the prince now sees as a big deal, "impact" the buzz word ahead of any engagement now. A very lively game of football launching what they hope will be a long-term tie-up between the Royal Foundation (their charitable trust), Leith community centre and Street Soccer Scotland. On Thursday, the sight of a guard of honour saluting the prince and princess, as the national anthem was played alongside HMS Glasgow, just emphasised the regular handbrake turns they face from the more relaxed to the formal, as they want to make the monarchy feel connected and relevant. Then there is family to consider, in a way that past generations just haven't. Their working diaries are now arranged around their children. They've made no secret of that. On paper, it means fewer engagements compared to other members of the family, and it has led to mutterings of that word no one within the palace wants to hear: "workshy". Making an impact? But talking to people in Glasgow, away from the royal visit, I overwhelmingly found most thought William was setting a good example by putting family first. What people were less clear on was his "social impact" work and what that is all about. The community projects may not necessarily grab as much attention as William and his advisors want, but what will be fascinating to watch is the potential long-term impact of this new kind of ethos. As the Prince and Princess of Wales stood on the steps of Buckingham Palace at a garden party on Tuesday, pausing for the national anthem, you can't help but wonder whether those traditional elements of royal life could face a shake-up when one day he leads the firm full time. Understandably, no one likes to talk about transition, and Prince William certainly doesn't shout about his thoughts on what will come. But as heir, his vision for the future and what royal leadership should look like could have huge consequences for the institution.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lady Gabriella Windsor opens up about Kate Middleton's kind gesture towards her following her husband Thomas Kingston's death
Lady Gabriella Windsor praised the Princess of Wales in a rare interview as she opened up about working together shortly after her husband's death. Gabriella, fondly known as Ella, 44, was invited by the Princess to advise on her Together At Christmas carol service last year at Westminster Abbey. Kate's 'kind' gesture came only months after Gabriella's husband Thomas Kingston, 45, was found dead with a 'traumatic head wound' and a gun near his body in an outbuilding of his parents' Cotswolds home. Speaking exclusively to HELLO! Magazine, the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and the second cousin of King Charles, said the Princess of Wales was 'lovely to work with' and called the royal invitation an 'honour'. 'It was such an honour to be involved, and very thoughtful and kind-hearted of the Princess to include me [in the carol concert]' she told the publication. 'I was very touched. She was so lovely to work with, always gracious, very creative and with so much vision and passion for the many charities and causes she supports'. Gabriella, a singer and songwriter, and the only member of the royal family to publish their own songs, also heaped praise on Kate, and described the annual Christmas gathering as a 'brilliant idea'. She told the publication: 'The Princess's carol concert is such a brilliant event and idea, to thank and shine a light on hundreds of the most outstanding charities in the UK.' She also expressed gratitude for having a hand in the project, of which she said her role was 'to support on the musical side of things, and to put forward artists and ideas'. The Oxford-graduate opened up about her new role as the patron of the charity Restore The Music. The foundation supports state school music departments and some of its musicians performed at Kate's concert last December. Founded by equity and managing partner of Elliott Investment, Gordon Singer, the foundation provides top notch musical instruments for schools across the country and has so far helped over 110,000 young people, reported Hello. 'Music can do so much to help build confidence, imagination and social skills - all of which are, I believe, essential to learning' said Gabriella in a statement on the Restor e The Music website. 'On a recent visit to a school served by Restore the Music I was dazzled by the student performances, Rachmaninoff on piano, jazz saxophone, drums and Spanish guitar. 'They transported us to another place - far from a school classroom. What a stunning snapshot of talent, teaching and world class instruments, funded by Restore the Music. 'It is such an honour to serve as Patron to this exceptional charity which creates opportunities for children to thrive through the power of music'. In February 2024, Gabriella's husband Thomas Kingston was found dead at his family's country mansion in Gloucestershire. He was 45. His father found him on forcing entry to a locked building after Mr Kingston had earlier visited for lunch with his parents, senior coroner Katy Skerrett said. Police and paramedics were called to the scene after a member of the family made a 999 call. Police said Mr Kingston's death was not suspicious. His now widow paid tribute to her husband in a joint statement with his family, describing him as an 'exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him' - and called his death a 'great shock to the whole family'. A statement released on behalf of Lady Gabriella Kingston, Mr Martin and Mrs Jill Kingston, Mrs Joanna Connolly and Mrs Emma Murray, said: 'It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Thomas Kingston, our beloved husband, son and brother. 'Tom was an exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him. His death has come as a great shock to the whole family and we ask you to respect our privacy as we mourn his passing'. Lady Gabriella released a personal photo she took of her husband, showing him smiling and dressed in a casual pink shirt as he stood near a stretch of water in the sunshine. The couple married at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in 2019 with Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the late Duke of Edinburgh, among the guests. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: 'The King and the Queen have been informed of Thomas's death and join Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and all those who knew him in grieving a much-loved member of the family. 'In particular, Their Majesties send their most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Gabriella and to all the Kingston family'. Lady Gabriella is the King's second cousin. They are both great-grandchildren of King George V. Mr Kingston was a director of Devonport Capital, which specialises in providing finance for companies in 'frontier economies'. The Bristol University graduate had also worked in Baghdad, Iraq, working to procure the release of hostages after joining the Diplomatic Missions Unit of the Foreign Office. He was a close friend of Pippa Matthews - the Princess of Wales's sister - and the pair were said to have dated in 2011. Lady Gabriella, who has worked as an arts and travel director for a brand company, is a writer and contributing editor. She is also a singer-songwriter and released two bossa nova-inspired tracks in 2020 to raise money for charity. Although Lady Gabriella is not a working member of the royal family, she and Mr Kingston's family are being supported by the royal household. Friends of Thomas Kingston were left shocked by his death as they told how he and Lady Gabriella were 'happily married until the end'. At the time of the carol concert, Lady Gabriella was said to be a 'real member of the carol service team' and influential in choosing the musical performances. As a singer-songwriter who has previously released a charity single she brought her expertise to the concert. An insider told the Mail she 'enjoyed her role within the service and was excited to be a part of it', while the Princess was 'incredibly grateful for her contribution'. A friend added: 'She was very touched and grateful to the Princess to be asked to contribute to her very special concert. She felt honoured.' One of Lady Gabriella's personal touches was helping to engage youth charity Restore the Music, who played to guests as they queued to enter the service. Polly Moore, CEO of Restore the Music, said: 'Lady Gabriella is incredibly passionate about music and helping young people find their voice. 'She has been an ambassador for us for the past five years and often attends our events. 'When she messaged to ask if I would be interested I said, 'Are you kidding, of course!' 'She was incredibly approachable and a brilliant sounding board in the planning process. She's the most wonderful person. I'm extremely grateful to her.' Lady Gabriella helped choose singer Gregory Porter and pianist Rosey Chan to perform a specially-composed lyrical piece that was played alongside a poem read by actress Sophie Okonedo. Gabriella herself paid a sweet tribute to Kate, as she made the rare public outing. Walking side-by-side with Carole Middleton, she was pictured wearing a glittering pair of Kaye's preferred pieces of jewellery from Missoma. The Gold Zenyu Chandelier earrings were famously worn by the Princess of Wales on multiple occasions. Featuring a gold hoop connected to a splayed fan, they are finished with a trim of delicate gold bobbles, making them both festive and bohemian at the same time. They are plated in 18ct gold and retail for £139.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meghan soundtracks her gushing anniversary post with a song removed from King's Coronation playlist over band's 'anti-monarchy' views
Meghan Markle 's choice of soundtrack to accompany her wedding anniversary tribute is a tune that was controversially removed from the King's Coronation in 2023. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, thanked Prince Harry for giving her a 'lifetime of stories' as she published a pin-board image full of sweet snaps of the couple and their two children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, three. The duchess captioned her post: 'Seven years of marriage. A lifetime of stories. 'Thanks to all of you (whether by our side, or from afar) who have loved and supported us throughout our love story - we appreciate you. Happy anniversary!' However, perhaps unintentionally, the track she used to accompany the post happens to be one that was blacklisted two years ago when King Charles 's ascension was made official in the Coronation at Westminster Abbey - (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles' by The Proclaimers. Craig and Charlie Reid's 1988 hit was originally one of 28 songs on the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport's public Coronation Celebration Playlist on Spotify, along with the likes of Queen, David Bowie, The Beatles, and Tom Jones. However, the Government axed the tune from the major royal event amid complaints over the band's republican sentiments and 'anti-royal' views. In 2022, frontman Charlie Reid sympathised with an anti-monarchist protestor who was arrested in Oxford after shouting 'Who elected him?' at the proclamation ceremony for King Charles. The demonstrator in question, Symon Hill, was charged under the Public Order Act but the Crown Prosecution Service later discontinued the case. Speaking to the National, Reid said: 'I thought that guy spoke for me, and he speaks for loads of other people. Not just in Scotland, but right around the UK. 'The way they've acted you'd think the story was that it's just about people's grief and people respecting her but the real story is that in 2022 an unelected head of state has died.' A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson told MailOnline at the time: 'The playlist has been created to celebrate British and Commonwealth artists ahead of the upcoming coronation.' The Proclaimers have previously courted with republicanism in their music after they said their 2007 song 'In Recognition' was about 'people on the left in this country who snipe against the royal family and then end up taking honours'. Meghan's post was full of previously unseen photographs marking milestones on the duke and duchess' love story that began in 2016 as well as a piece of paper with the handwritten lyrics of Ben E King's Stand by Me - that was performed at their 2018 wedding. One of the earliest photos showed the Duke and Duchess pose for a selfie taken in London that year. Another snap showed a shirtless Harry and Meghan elephant watching during their holiday to Botswana for their second date. One of the most intimate photos was an image of their son Archie's ultrasound scan that the couple first shared with the world in their 2022 Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, as they spoke about how they 'connected early on' about their desire to be parents. For the first time, Meghan also shared an intimate photo of Prince Harry and Archie taken on the then-newborn's birthday, April 6, 2019. Also pinned onto Meghan's mood board was a photo of Harry and Meghan taken in Norfolk during what appears to be a visit to Holkham Bay - the Sandringham beach frequented by Prince William and Princess Catherine. The Norfolk beach was featured prominently in Kate's video confirming she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy last September. One of the most recent photos tacked on to the board is a sun-soaked snap of Harry and Meghan sharing a sweet kiss while posing in front of palm trees during what appears to be the couple's most recent getaway to Mexico with their children. Both Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet feature prominently on the board, with one picture from 2022 showing the brother-sister duo sharing a sweet hug. Another shows Harry, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet enjoying a tea party in what appears to be the backyard of their $14 million Montecito mansion. Meghan's Instagram caption, thanking her and Harry's loved ones for their support, could be considered a dig at the royal family, with whom relations have been frosty since the Sussexes stepped down as working royals in 2020 and moved to the US. One of their final engagements as senior members of the Royal Family was the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall on March 8, 2020. In 'before' and 'after' photos that appear to be taken outside Frogmore Cottage, their former royal residence, Harry and Meghan can be seen posing in casual outfits before changing for the concert. Meghan wore a red full-length £1,295 Safiyaa dress, jewelled Simone Rocha earrings, and gorgeous red Stuart Weitzman heels. Prince Harry, who attended the event at the South Kensington venue in his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines, wore a mess dress uniform complete with medals awarded from two tours of Afghanistan. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have taken several swipes at The Firm since moving to California during the Covid pandemic. Among the sensational accusations levelled at Harry's family were that 'concerns and conversations' were voiced when Meghan was pregnant with Prince Archie, now six, as to what colour his skin would be when he was born. Meghan's post comes after royal fans noticed she had reversed the order of her wedding rings back to the conventionally held placement. Last week, the Duchess showcased her stack of rings, estimated to be worth £210,000, in a post for her lifestyle brand As Ever. One of the most noticeable elements of her stack was its unconventional order - with the Duchess opting to wear her the three-stone engagement ring first, followed by her eternity ring and then her Welsh gold wedding band. Typically, the wedding band is worn first as an American jewellery expert told The Knot it should be positioned 'closest to the heart'. Meanwhile, eternity bands are added last, according to British jeweler Beaverbrooks because the rings are traditionally given to celebrate relationship milestones, People reported. The order these days, however, is a matter of preference, they added. However, in her latest As Ever Instagram post, she switched her rings back. Meghan, while holding a white rose, donned her wedding band and eternity rings first, before adding her engagement ring. Again, her face was not visible, but the mother-of-two strolled outdoors in a mid-length cream denim skirt and white shirt in the image. She added in the caption, 'Heading into the weekend'. As the Duke and Duchess mark seven years of marriage today, one thing that has remained constant is that they are not afraid to stray from convention. Harry didn't ask Meghan's father for permission to marry her, Meghan walked down part of the aisle alone and the ceremony was a fusion of two cultures. The Duchess's 'fairytale wedding' at St George's Chapel couldn't have been more different from royal weddings of the past, with guests calling it the most diverse major event in Queen Elizabeth's reign. At the time MailOnline reported that Meghan had launched her own 'mini-revolution' with her multicultural and US-influenced wedding, the likes of which Britain's royals and the millions watching had never seen before. Meghan even decided to give a speech at the reception, breaking protocol. In America it is common for the couple, their best man, the maid of honour and parents to give speeches. However for British royal weddings this honour is usually reserved for the best man, the host and the groom - letting the bride off the hook. In the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the couple shared the speech in full for the first time. She read from her notes: 'Let's call this a modern fairytale. Once upon a time, there was a girl from LA. Some people called her an actress. 'And there was a guy from London. Some people called him a prince. 'All of those people didn't fully get it. Because this is the love story of a boy and a girl who were meant to be together.' She spoke about their first dates and their memorable trip to Botswana. 'They would love and garden and travel and laugh, and rack up more air miles than any couple could have,' she added. 'I've always valued independence. I've always been outspoken, especially about women's rights, and that's the sad irony of the last four years, I've advocated for so long for women to use their voice. And then I was silent.' As they look back on their wedding at St George's Chapel seven years ago today, Harry and Meghan remain united in their desire to live a different life away from the Royal Family, but they are not on the same page in every single sense. During their brief period as working royals where they appeared to be the perfect double act. Even during the drama of 'Megxit', Harry and Meghan's early business ventures were almost entirely joint which included the formation of their non-profit organisation Archewell and a lucrative Netflix deal which saw the pair star in a documentary. However, as the couple celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary, there appears to be a growing career chasm between the Sussexes in their business ventures with both taking on more solo projects. According to one royal insider, the couple could be suffering from a so-called 'seven-year glitch' where by they are still very much happily married but are separating their professional lives. Speaking to MailOnline, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said that Meghan has ambitions to become a billionaire with her various projects including TV and investing in start-ups, but Harry lacks the same 'ruthlessness'. 'Harry is increasingly finding himself as the spare in a relationship with Meghan which undoubtedly involves mutual affection, but where their priorities differ widely. In 2022, the first Netflix series about the Sussexes was released aptly named Harry and Meghan. While it holds the record for the biggest debut for a Netflix documentary it received mixed reviews from critics 'Meghan likes glitz and glamour and is absolutely ruthless as the interview on Oprah showed so clearly. Because she married Harry, her brand does have reach. 'She would like to be a billionaire influencer and an A-list celebrity but she has very few A-list friends.' Richard said that Harry's comfort zone is his charity work, and this is the direction in which he naturally finds himself leaning. 'Invictus means a lot to him, it was a joy to see him at the WellChild Awards last year. He genuinely enjoyed being with the children, it seemed as though the "old Harry" was temporarily back,' he said. However, he cautioned that the Duke has made a 'large number of mistakes'. These include his 'angry and resentful half hour interview with the BBC after he lost his court case over security and his ill-judged memoir Spare'. He added: However, though often emotional, he lacks Meghan's ruthlessness, which was so apparent in the Oprah interview.' As for Meghan's hopes of reaching her billionaire goal, Richard said that her public image could be problematic. 'Her declining popularity in the United States is partly due to the bullying allegations which have dogged her though she strongly denies them, and partly because, as was pointed out by critics of her With Love, Meghan cookery show, she is too self-obsessed,' he explained. 'She should take advice from the infamous but pragmatic 16th century diplomat Nicolo Machiavelli who wrote 'It is not necessary that a prince (in her case a princess) be just. It is very necessary that he (she) appear to be'. 'The talent isn't there, the ambition is boundless, the self-love infinite and it shows far too obviously. The novelty has worn off, too. If you preach love but rubbish the royal family, which you married into, you might not make the fortune you seek!' Indeed, Meghan does appear to have focused much of her energy on her solo business projects in recent years. In March 2024, she soft-launched American Riviera Orchard before changing the companies name to As Ever. Announcing the new venture, Meghan said: 'This new chapter is an extension of what has always been my love language, beautifully weaving together everything I cherish - food, gardening, entertaining, thoughtful living, and finding joy in the everyday.' The food products sold by the brand include an assortment of teas, edible flower sprinkles and a £20 jar of honey. Meghan has also invested in a number of companies including the vegan coffee brand Clevr Blends and haircare line Highbrow Hippie. She has also invested in asset manager Ethic, which focuses on sustainable investments. Harry and Meghan signed a lucrative £18million deal with Spotify in 2020. However despite appearing to be a joint venture, the only show they produced was hosted by Meghan. In the series, titled Archetypes, Meghan interviewed various celebrities from Serena Williams to Paris Hilton. A jar of honey for sale on As Ever which sells an array of food products The deal was 'mutually ended' in June 2023 with sources claiming the music streaming giant did not see a enough content to warrant the full payout. Earlier this year, the duchess launched her Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan podcast which saw the royal chat with female business owners from an array of successful companies. In a slight career change, Meghan also penned a children's book in 2021 titles The Bench. The book follows the relationship of a father and son through the eyes of the mother. It received mixed reviews from critics. Harry remains focused on his charity work. He is still involved heavily with the Invictus Games and the foundation which supports the tournament as well as the HALO Trust - a charity working to remove landmines which Princess Diana was supportive of. The Duke of Sussex also launched more new projects in recent years including an eco-travel campaign through his non-profit Travalyst, aimed at encouraging sustainable travel. Prince Harry and Meghan on their wedding day in May 2018 In November 2023 he became the global ambassador for Scotty's Little Soldiers - a charity which cares for children whose parents died while serving in the armed forces. In their television projects, Harry and Meghan have kept a much more united front but even so the couple do now appear to be doing much more separate projects. Although an official figure was never announced, Harry and Meghan's deal with Netflix was allegedly worth around £80million and seen the couple produce multiple shows. In 2022, the first Netflix series about the Sussexes was released aptly named Harry and Meghan. While it holds the record for the biggest debut for a Netflix documentary it received mixed reviews. The pair were also executive producers on the Polo sports documentary series which followed athletes at the US Open Polo Championship. In 2023, Meghan did not join Harry as an executive producer on the Heart of Invictus series, although the duke and duchess did appear together during the show. Meghan's first major solo television project was her lifestyle programme called With Love Meghan which saw the duchess team up with a number of famous guests to cook and create homeware products. Harry was almost entirely absent from the series aside from a very brief cameo in the last episode.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Queen Elizabeth Let Prince William "Rip Up" The Royal Rulebook for His Wedding to Kate Middleton
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Awkward conversations about wedding guest lists are a tale as old as time, and apparently, even Prince William and Kate Middleton weren't immune to the phenomenon. When the couple was planning their April 29, 2011 royal wedding at Westminster Abbey, the future King had one major problem with the ceremony: he didn't actually know who any of the guests were. And although Queen Elizabeth likely faced the same problem at her own 1947 wedding, she made an unusually modern move to help her grandson. The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary during a trip to Scotland this week, but back when the plans were in the works for their big day, Prince William found himself "shocked" at the guest list. Royal editor Roya Nikkah of the Sunday Times shared the story in the BBC documentary Royal Wedding: A Day to Remember. "When the guest list was drawn up [Prince William] was very bemused and had a conversation with The Queen to say, 'I don't know any of these people,'" she said (via the Express). "He wasn't very happy about it," Nikkah continued. Surprisingly, his grandmother told him to get rid of the list and invite his friends. "The Queen just said to him, rip that list up and start where you want to start from and invite who you want— and that's what they did," the royal expert added. So who made the cut? The requisite government officials and foreign royals like Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco—who married just three months later themselves— still made the 1,900-strong guest list. However, William and Kate were able to add their friends—and exes—to the list, too. Everyone from David and Victoria Beckham to their university pals to the owner of Basil's Bar in Mustique filled the Abbey. Among these guests included John Haley of The Old Boot Inn pub near the Middleton family's Bucklebury home. "It was great that Kate and William were allowed to invite all their own friends," he said, per the Express. "She invited me, I've known her 15 years or so. It was fabulous."
