Protocol out of the window as the celebrity Instagrammers chronicle their greatest day
IT IS convention among friends of the Royal family that they rarely reveal events within the castle walls.
But as the Americans rolled into Windsor for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle this weekend, they took a more Hollywood approach, sharing their day with the world on social media.
The celebrities, who posted photographs and videos of themselves in ever more glamorous outfits throughout the day, revealed the “halitosis” of other guests, paid gushing tributes to the couple and filmed palace staff behind-the-scenes.
Rick Hoffman, the Duchess of Sussex’s co-star in Suits, raised eyebrows after posting a video responding to comments that he had looked unimpressed during the wedding. The 47-year-old said: “To answer the question about the weird face that was made at the wedding. Imagine sitting next to people on your right, not knowing which person it was that has halitosis. Hence the face that is apparently now all over the place.” He told his Instagram followers: “So, it’s as simple as that, Charlie. Love you guys. Yeah. Halitosis. Disgusting.”
He later posted a video from the gates outside St George’s Chapel. Patrick J Adams, his co-star in the US legal drama, also had his phone out, apparently recording events. Mr Adams posted an image of himself and his wife, Troian Bellisario, outside the castle, with the caption: “Freeloaders.”
Despite rumours that mobile phones were going to be banned during the daytime reception, Ms Bellisario, 32, then revealed on her own social media that the bride had supplied guests with slippers. While walking barefoot within Windsor Castle, she filmed herself saying: “How amazing is this? Because these shoes have come off. They have slippers for us.”
In the video, in which Suits stars Sarah Rafferty and Abigail Spencer were tagged, a man believed to be a member of the royal staff asked her: “Would you like a pair madam?”
Serena Williams, 36, later proved that she would have had little need for the slippers at the evening reception, where she wore a floor-length Valentino dress, which was so long her feet could not be seen. But the tennis champion gave fans on social media a peek underneath the bottom of the garment, saying on Instagram: “Little known fact: I often wear sneakers under my evening gown.”
Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, also posted images of the pair in their wedding finery. The Reddit cofounder had earlier posted a video on Twitter of “Lady Williams” preparing him for the wedding as he put on an accent and joked: “You can call me Lord Ohanian from now on.”
Indian actress Priyanka Chopra, a close friend of the Duchess of Sussex, posted photographs and videos of herself in a Vivienne Westwood lavender dress for the wedding and of herself, while her stylist, Mimi Cuttrell, posted images of her ready for the evening reception in a gold Dior gown.
In contrast to the reserve the British aristocracy is famous for, Ms Chopra posted a gushing tribute to the newly-weds, writing on Instagram: “Every once in a while there is a moment when time stands still … that happened today. You my friend were the epitome of grace, love and beauty. Every choice made at this wedding by you both will go down in history, not just because it was your wedding but because this wedding stood for change and hope. Both things the world needs desperately. Thank you for being the perfect picture of all things good … seeing your union and love blessed in front of my eyes made me so happy and tear up! I wish you both happiness and togetherness always.”
Jessica Mulroney, 38, whose four-year-old daughter Ivy was a bridesmaid, was photographed by her stylist in the gold cowl-back dress she wore to the exclusive after-party in photographs posted online.