Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Pippa’s day: Middleton weds in lavish event before the royals
ENGLEFIELD, England — Pippa Middleton, radiant in a custom-made wedding gown, married a wealthy financier Saturday as two likely future British kings and other members of the royal family, including her sister, looked on.
In what was seen by many as the society wedding of the year, Middleton and hedge fund manager James Matthews said their vows in a ceremony at St. Mark’s Church in Englefield, west of London. Before the wedding, wellwishers and reporters gathered outside the church grounds, hoping for a glimpse.
The wedding party included Prince George, a 3-year-old page boy, and 2-year-old Princess Charlotte, a bridesmaid. Both are the children of the Duchess of Cambridge, Pippa’s sister.
Prince William and Prince Harry arrived together wearing formal morning suits. Matthews, 41, sported elegant formal wear set off by a blue vest.
Middleton, 33, came to the church accompanied by her father Michael in a vintage Jaguar convertible. She wore a custom wedding gown designed by Giles Deacon, a long veil by prominent hat-maker Stephen Jones and a tiara.
Father and daughter had a quiet moment together before entering the church, and church bells rang out as the couple emerged after saying their vows.
Tennis star Roger Federer and his wife, Mirka, were among the guests, as was reality TV personality Spencer Matthews, the groom’s well-known brother and one of the stars of “Made in Chelsea.”
The Duchess of Cambridge gracefully ceded the spotlight to her younger sister Saturday. Kate wore a long-sleeved, blush pink Alexander McQueen dress and focused on making sure the page boys and bridesmaids behaved, which they did.