Wedding princess’s Euge grin
Marriage of Princess Eugenie and beau Jack went like a breeze
LOVE was not the only thing in the air yesterday as Princess Eugenie tied the knot at Windsor Castle, in front of a host of royals and VIPs.
The Queen’s granddaughter, 28, married Jack Brooksbank on a sunny but blustery day, which left guests holding on to their hats and dresses.
Eugenie, younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, wed drinks industry executive Jack, 32, in the 15th century St George’s Chapel.
It was the same spectacular venue chosen by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their wedding in May, when 100,000 royal fans flocked to Windsor and more than two billion people watched the ceremony on TV.
But it was a different affair for the town’s second royal wedding of the year. Just three people camped in the street overnight. They were later joined by around 3000 loyal royal watchers, who lined the high street.
The wedding had been the subject of controversy in recent weeks after it was revealed taxpayers will be left with a bill of around £2.25million for policing and staging the event.
But no expense had been spared on the big day for the ninth in line to the throne and her beau.
Eugenie’s designer wedding dress was rumoured to cost more than £150,000, while floral designer Rob Van Helden decked out the chapel and grounds in a spectacular seasonal display.
The couple enjoyed several rounds of celebrations, with an afternoon reception for their 800 guests at the castle’s St George’s Hall, followed by a black-tie do last night for 200 “close family and friends” at the Duke of York’s Royal Lodge.
Today, they will entertain 200 guests again for a festival-themed day in the castle grounds.
The Queen, 92, and Prince Philip, 97, celebrated their granddaughter’s big day with around 40 other royals plus a host of A-list celebrities. Prince Charles attended alone after Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, chose to stand by a long-term engagement to visit a primary school 530 miles away.
Prince William and Kate’s eldest two children Prince George, five, and Princess Charlotte, three, had starring roles among the pageboys and bridesmaids, as did singer Robbie Williams’ daughter Theodora, six.
Kate was among guests for whom the weather played havoc, laughing as she fought to hold her dress down in the wind.
Eugenie’s mum Sarah, Duchess of York, enthusiastically hugged family friend Jessie Huberty, in the crowds, on arrival at the chapel.
Though Prince Philip is rumoured to have never forgiven Fergie for the scandal caused by her “toe sucking” incident with financial adviser John Bryan in 1992, the atmosphere inside the chapel was far from frosty. Fergie was seen breathing a huge sigh of apparent relief after the ceremony which went off without a hitch.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also gave a rare public display of affection, holding hands as they sat in the pews. Kate was spotted resting her hand on her
husband’s knee as he read over the order of service.
The Duchess of Sussex also caught the attention of some eagleeyed observers who mused whether she might be hiding a baby bump under her jacket.
Bridesmaid Princess Charlotte even took a tumble as she arrived, and page boy Louis de Givenchy also stumbled as he entered the church.
Accompanied by brother George acting as page boy, Charlotte enthusiastically waved to the adoring crowds as they approached the chapel.
George held his hand over his ear as trumpeters lined out at the back of the chapel to herald the arrival of Eugenie.
The ceremony, broadcast live on ITV’s This Morning programme after the BBC turned it down, included two songs by opera star Andrea Bocelli, performances from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra a fanfare by state trumpeters and music from Scottish pipers.
Early figures indicated it was watched by two million people.
About 1200 members of the public joined in the celebrations after winning a ballot for tickets to be in the castle’s Lower Ward.
After the ceremony Eugenie and Jack opted to take a carriage ride, using a glass Scottish State Coach instead of an open-topped version due to the blustery conditions, which caused security costs to rocket.
Windsor and Maidenhead council also budgeted to spend £250,000 on stewarding, barriers and toilets, likely to be reimbursed from taxpayer funds.
A petition of more than 40,000 signatures was handed to MPs on Wednesday campaigning against the use of public money for the event.
The newlyweds left in style when Jack whisked his new wife away in a James Bond supercar, an Aston Martin DB10.