British Royal Weddings Throughout History

By Sylvia Ogweng. 17 May 2018 8:24 AM

Britain’s royal weddings never fail to draw international attention! With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding approaching on May 19, see where, how and when the world’s most notable royal family said “I do.”

April 1923: Duke Of York And Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon

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November 1947: Queen Elizabeth II And The Duke Of Edinburgh

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May 1960: Princess Margaret And Antony Armstrong-Jones

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November 1973: Princess Anne And Captain Mark Phillips

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June 1981: Prince Charles And Princess Diana

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July 1986: Prince Andrew And Sarah Ferguson

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June 1999: Prince Edward And Sophie Rhys-Jones

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April 2005: Prince Charles And Camilla Parker Bowles

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April 2011: Prince William And Kate Middleton

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May 2018: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle

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April 1923: Duke Of York And Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon
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After two attempts, Lady Elizabeth Bowes finally accepted the Duke of York’s proposal. The marriage between commoner Bowes and the Duke was viewed as highly unusual at the time and was considered an early move toward political moderation for the British royal family.
June 1937: Duke And Duchess Of Windsor
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Much like Prince Harry, the Duke of Windsor chose American socialite Wallis Simpson as his bride in 1937. Simpson’s status as a divorcee raised many eyebrows with the British public, forcing Edward to renounce the throne to marry his love.
November 1947: Queen Elizabeth II And The Duke Of Edinburgh
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Britain’s longest-reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II met her Prince at the tender age of 8 before reportedly falling in love with him during her early teens. The Duke, who gave up his title as Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, was crowned the Duke of Edinburgh following their controversial union.
May 1960: Princess Margaret And Antony Armstrong-Jones
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Princess Margaret wed photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones in a ceremony that would become the first royal wedding to be broadcast on television.
November 1973: Princess Anne And Captain Mark Phillips
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Princess Anne donned a high-neck satin gown and a veil for her walk down Westminster Abbey’s aisle in 1973. The Queen’s only daughter said “I do” to lieutenant Mark Phillips, before separating 14 years later. In 1992, Princess Anne would remarry, tying the knot with royal navy commander Timothy Lawrence.
June 1981: Prince Charles And Princess Diana
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An estimated 750 million people tuned in to watch Prince Harry's parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, say “I do” in 1981. The marriage, however, turned out to be doomed from the start and the couple would soon take part in a much-publicized divorce that involved rumoured infidelity on both sides. Their divorce was finalized in 1996, one year before Diana's death following a fatal car crash.
July 1986: Prince Andrew And Sarah Ferguson
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Queen Elizabeth II’s second son, Prince Phillip, wed Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson in July 1986. Much like Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the couple endured a difficult marriage. Their divorce was made final in 1996.
June 1999: Prince Edward And Sophie Rhys-Jones
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Despite growing rumours about Prince Edward’s sexuality, Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son married at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The couple took on the title of Earl of Wessex and Viscount of Severn.
April 2005: Prince Charles And Camilla Parker Bowles
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Since they first began seeing each in 1970, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles’ relationship has endured the failure of their respective marriages and 40 years of glaring spotlight. Princess Diana famously blamed Bowles for intervening in her marriage, telling the BBC: "Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."

The couple got engaged in February of 2005 and tied the knot two months later with the Queen’s blessing.
April 2011: Prince William And Kate Middleton
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April 29, 2011, marked the wedding day of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Taking place at Westminster Abbey in London, the wedding included a guest list of 1,900 people. Prince Harry served as Prince William’s best man, while Pippa Middleton served as Middleton’s much-talked-about maid of honour.

The day was marked by a public holiday in the United Kingdom.
May 2018: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle
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After a whirlwind romance, former “Suits” actress Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their engagement in the final months of 2017. The couple will wed at St. George’s chapel on May 19 before a star-studded group of guests that is rumoured to include stars such as Serena Williams, Elton John, Spice Girls, Priyanka Chopra and more.

British Royal Weddings Throughout History

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