LET'S party!
Like their wedding, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s departure for their intimate evening reception at Frogmore House was a seamless blend of tradition and style with a refreshing, modern spin. Even their car pointed to changing times. Where Prince William and Duchess Catherine had travelled to their reception in an Aston Martin that had been converted to bioethanol fuel, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan chose a 1968 silver blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero that had been converted to electric power.
The bride’s high-neck, white silk crepe evening dress, designed by Stella McCartney, was a timeless choice, with a floor-length skirt that must surely have looked breathtaking on the dance floor. Her nude mesh shoes from footwear boutique Aquazzura featured soles that were painted in baby blue. And on her right hand she wore an emerald-cut aquamarine ring, which had belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales – a gift from Prince Harry, who wore a simple, black tuxedo.
The evening reception was hosted by The Prince of Wales in the grounds of Frogmore House, which has been a royal residence since 1680 and was the setting for the couple’s official engagement photographic shoot. A three-course organic dinner was served, while British actor and talk show host, James Corden, emceed the evening’s proceedings, which included speeches by the bride and Prince William. Afterwards there was a carnival atmosphere. DJ Sam Totolee spun discs and fairy floss, burgers and ginger and rum cocktails were served into the night.
Neither cameras nor phones were permitted inside the private function for just 200 of the couple’s closest family and friends, including George and Amal Clooney (who stopped to chat with guards at the gate), Serena Williams (who turned heads in a bold, Valentino floral-print gown) and Indian actor and philanthropist, Priyanka Chopra (who shimmered in Dior). The first dance was to one of Meghan’s favourites, Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
As fireworks lit up the night over Frogmore House, a global audience of millions wished these newlyweds, who had all through the day hinted at the gentle dawn of a new era, the same.