St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle provided the most stunning backdrop for the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but it wasn’t where they wanted to exchange vows.
According to Prince Harry’s new memoir, Spare, they were aware they needed to share their special day with the world even though their “dream” wedding would have taken place “barefoot in Botswana.” Instead, they contemplated the traditional, lavish wedding locations used for other royal nuptials, but Prince William dissuaded Harry and Meghan from a number of the “too grand” venues.
The Duke asserted in his book that the Prince of Wales had advised against getting married where their father, King Charles, wed their mother, Princess Diana, in 1981, and where he married Princess Kate in 2011.
Harry contacted William to get his opinion on potential wedding venues after his engagement tour of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. He described the exchange in detail: “I informed him that Westminster Abbey was on our minds.
“Very bad. It was done there.
“Right on cue. Paul’s home?
“too opulent. Pa and Mummy also participated.
“Hm. Yes. Well said.”
William’s suggestion was a surprisingly intimate location close to Highgrove House, the Gloucestershire royal residence of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.
“He put forth Tetbury.
“I laughed. Tetbury? The church close to Highgrove? Really, Willy? How many people can fit there?
“A small, quiet wedding is what you said you wanted, isn’t it?”
The Palace set the wedding date for May 2018 after Harry and Meghan finally decided on St. George’s Chapel. Even though Harry wanted to “get married quickly,” he claimed that June was Garter Day and March was already booked solid.
On May 19, 2018, the couple exchanged vows in front of famous people like Victoria Beckham, Elton John, and Priyanka Chopra. After that, they attended a luncheon reception at Windsor Castle that was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II. They decided to adopt an American tradition by asking couples to eat together at the reception.
However, Harry claims that his brother and sister-in-law changed the place cards at the last minute to ensure spouses were seated separately – something the Prince and Princess denied. William and Kate’s table was the only one that did not follow suit.
