Cork hotel ‘had no idea’ their mystery guest was Pippa
Glengarriff’s warm fáilte for Kate’s sister and her husband as best friend ties the knot
DESPITE the grey day, Pippa Middleton, in a nod to her Irish hosts, was glowing in green at a society wedding in West Cork yesterday.
The newly married Pippa and her husband James Matthews arrived in the stunning seaside town of Glengarriff on Friday evening ahead of the wedding of her college friend Camilla Campion-Awwad to Oliver Jenkinson.
Staff at the Eccles Hotel, where Pippa and James were staying, were caught unawares by the celebrity arrival.
The couple had booked in under an assumed name and although their suite was prepared, the hotel brought on extra staff just to make extra sure that everything went smoothly.
‘The staff were a little caught off guard,’ a source told the Irish Mail on Sunday.
Pippa and James had a room overlooking the stunning vista of the north Atlantic. The Eccles Hotel boasts unrivalled views across the water and the mountains.
The pair had dinner in the hotel on Friday night after checking in just before 9pm.
The newlyweds then opted for a late lie-in yesterday morning before venturing out for a stroll.
Pippa and James walked arm in arm through the picturesque village of Glengarriff ahead of the nuptials.
Camilla and Pippa attended Edinburgh University together and are firm friends.
Wearing a tan leather jacket, which she teamed with a cream blouse, black jeans and tan loafers, Pippa looked at ease despite the eyes of star-struck locals who spotted the pair.
James placed a protective arm around his wife as they enjoyed their walk and chatted with their circle of friends.
They then retreated back to the comfort of their hotel, where they idled on the terrace and took in the scenery.
Pippa and James had lunch in the hotel before getting ready for the wedding.
Her simple, knee-length dress with flower motif offset Pippa’s deep honeymoon tan to perfection. She topped off her wedding look with a fascinator.
And while local eyes were certainly on Pippa, the bride stopped traffic when she arrive at the Sacred Heart Church.
Wearing a white dress and carrying a romantic bouquet, Camilla stunned in her gown. Perhaps taking a tip from Pippa’s sister Kate, the bride also dressed her bridesmaid in white.
The guests left the church to big cheers from excited locals who gathered outside when news spread that they had a celebrity in their village.
Madrigals Vocal choir from Cork were also kept in the dark about whose wedding they were performing for.
Two vintage cars took the wedding party to the reception in a private residence overlooking the bay.
A large marquee was provided by Irish company Pavillion Marquees and local caterers arrived en masse on Friday with the food and drink.
The bride’s maternal grandparents are from the area.
‘James placed a protective arm around his wife’