Pippa marries in lavish style
Royals add some extra interest to private affair
Here comes the most famous bridesmaid in the world, now turned a happy bride.
Pippa Middleton, who nearly stole the spotlight at sister Kate’s royal wedding in 2011, walked down the aisle herself Saturday, the undeniable star of her lavish nuptials.
Middleton, 33, wed millionaire financier James Matthews, 41, at a village church near the home of her parents about 50 miles outside London.
Pippa wore a lace-encrusted creation from British designer Giles Deacon, who said he was “thrilled” to work on her dress.
In the church were Duchess Kate, Prince William, and their children, Prince George, 3, and Princess Charlotte, 2, who served as pageboy and bridesmaid.
The young royals were of keen interest to the world media, which quickly gobbled up pictures of George and Charlotte in their cute finery.
The other target of interest was Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s American actress girlfriend. Markle, 35, is considered a near-sure thing by the British media for a royal engagement announcement soon.
After the service in the 12th-century St. Mark’s Church, Englefield, the wedding party, which included Matthews’ best man, his brother Spencer, a reality TV star, and an estimated 350 guests continued to dinner and dancing on the grounds of the Middleton mansion.
Officially, it was a private wedding. But with the second, third, fourth and fifth in line to the throne present, the Middletons had to work in the glare of royal-level media attention.
For the most part, it seems they pulled it off.