Harry and Meghan: Wedding Suggestions and Musings

[jacqui24]

It is not clear if there will be a “ giving away” or who will do it, The BBC is not saying anything about it, just that Charles would walk her down the aisle. The CNN correspondent on the other hand said half an hour ago in their morning show that Prince Charles would walk her down the aisle and give her away, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the American press is wrong, as that has become a norm lately ( and not only in Royal matters) .

A number of royal correspondents is making clear on Twitter (I haven't had time to watch all the clips this morning) that Prince Charles is not giving her away, but rather accompanying her down the aisle to show support. And I think the give her away idea is really because in the old times, fathers had to give away daughters like possession, but it just carried on over time. Even though that phrase is still mentioned today although with different meaning.

ETA: In my experience following the way royal correspondents and KP work is that even if there is a statement released, a lot of time they'll offer additional information for clarification. And that's why we see some things that were specifically released, but tweeted out by multiple correspondents.

 

[Curryong]

I was escorted by my future father in law up the aisle at a Church of England wedding in Australia. Not only that, but my fiance's two sisters were bridesmaids. The C of E liturgy was used and it was fine. (My family were in England and couldn't make it.) The important thing for me was that I was marrying the man I loved.

 

[csw]

Has it been made clear ? I was watching CNN USA now and their correspondent said Prince Charles “ would give her away”. Maybe the American press simply misunderstood it.

If there is no actual “ giving away”, I.e if they change the liturgy ( which would be unprecedented, I think, for the Royal Family), then I am OK with it.

I suspect they were just using the vernacular phrase "giving away" as a commonly used way to reference walking with a bride down the aisle. It would be more readily understood than saying he would walk with her in the quire!

 

[jacqui24]

Camilla Tominey on Prince Charles walking Meghan down the aisle.

https://twitter.com/x/status/997436592053719041

 

[Stefanie]

Too much attention IMO
I mean - he is the Crown Prince after all...

 

[O-H Anglophile]

Too much attention IMO
I mean - he is the Crown Prince after all...

I'm not understanding what you mean here. Too much attention to what?

 

[Skippy]

Too much attention IMO
I mean - he is the Crown Prince after all...

I suppose in your opinion Meghan does not deserve this.

 

[PleasantPastures]

I was escorted by my future father in law up the aisle at a Church of England wedding in Australia. Not only that, but my fiance's two sisters were bridesmaids. The C of E liturgy was used and it was fine. (My family were in England and couldn't make it.) The important thing for me was that I was marrying the man I loved.

Love that attitude As far as I'm concerned it's a nice way to make Charles feel part of the ceremony and that's no bad thing in my eyes

 

[jacqui24]

Sky News is reporting that there was a helicopter that landed in KP earlier today, spent about 20 minutes on the ground and then took off in the direction of Windsor. They couldn't zoom close enough to see who it was.

 

[M. Payton]

The way I envision it, the kids will follow behind Meghan as she enters the chapel and makes her way up the aisle. Once she meets Charles, the kids will be whisked away elsewhere during the ceremony and rejoin the bridal party for the recessional. If I'm not mistaken, none of the children sat through William and Kate's entire wedding ceremony.

Oh, You spoiled my vision of happy children running wild up and down the aisle....for shame ..........?? not a good time to be serious here, this is a fun wedding and with 10 children I bet that is what it was meant to be.
Harry loves children as we all know and I bet he might have some wiggly worms or something hidden in his pockets for them if they did decide to go their own way.....he can corral them back to doing his bidding.....

 

[Fijiro]

King Olav V of Norway accompanied his future daughter-in-law, Sonja, to the cathedral and then escorted her down the aisle to marry the then Crown Prince Harald V of Norway.

 

[Ista]

I'm so glad that Charles will be escorting Meghan for the final part of her walk to meet Harry! I hoped that he would be the one to fill in.

I especially love the symbolism of her entering the chapel on her own, following a representative of the church she has chosen to join, meeting her future father in law, who embodies her future family as well as her future king, and having him escort her into the the interior of the chapel. I'm sure they will pause to curtsey/bow to the Queen and then he'll present her to Harry. Doesn't get much more symbolic than that, on numerous levels.

I think it's going to be lovely, and moving. She really will be moving out of her old life and into a new world.

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

Yay, how wonderful! I love the idea of Charles walking with her; I don't know why but it makes me think he gives her the seal of approval and his full support. "The family she never had" indeed.

 

[Skippy]

People are starting to see more and more what Harry meant with that statement. I think it's a nice touch that Charles escorts her down the aisle.

My bet is that Harry can't wait until he's married and that he'd actually rather be married already. Hold on Harry, just one more day!

 

[Mbruno]

King Olav V of Norway accompanied his future daughter-in-law, Sonja, to the cathedral and then escorted her down the aisle to marry the then Crown Prince Harald V of Norway.

That episode was explained before by a fellow Swedish forum member. Sonja’s father was apparently deceased and it had taken the King several years to consent to the marriage. He did it to underline his approval .

 

[Skippy]

That episode was explained before by a fellow Swedish forum member. Sonja’s father was apparently deceased and it had taken the King several years to consent to the marriage. He did it to underline his approval .

True, but her older brother Haakon could also have given her away. She was not without a male member in her own family.

It is just to show that this "construction" (for lack of a better word) is really not that weird.

 

[FashionMaven]

Even though I would have liked to see Doria do it, I am overjoyed that Prince Charles will do it. It's truly a stamp of approval and a lovely show of support.

I think that Doria would have been the logical choice, but it appears that wasn't the way they went. I imagine Meghan did ask her mom or discuss it but maybe Doria just wasn't comfortable with that. Perhaps she too is very traditional. And I don't think Doria is close to any male relatives on her side - I read her brother-in-law's comments about how the family didn't really have many male figures... but it had matriarchs...

So from Meghan's side it would be Doria or no one.

I'm very pleased with this and excited to see the wedding.

Couldn't agree with Camilla Tominey - it's a giant "Welcome to the Family".

This whole shebang feels more and more like what Cinderella in real life would have looked like. A bit messy (due to messy families) but in the end, an absolute fairytale.

 

[FashionMaven]

She ISN'T being 'given away'..she is being escorted to the Altar.. as SHE has chosen..

Who would have thought that after all of the squabbles over Meghan's fashion we've had, that your post would make me tear up.

 

[LadyGlendower]

Okay, I checked the video of W/K's wedding and the two page boys and Lady Louise and the other older bridesmaid sat near the altar with Pippa for the duration. I am VERY impressed with those kids---but maybe they were a little older than seven at the time?

I also noticed the men at the entrance to WA who took the caps of William and Harry, and the hat of Michael Middleton as they entered and then handed them back as the exited. So many moving parts, so well done.

Yes, I am a little excited.

 

[Nico]

Funnily enough this decision is setting the record straight gently but firmly. It will not please :

- Those who see Charles as some kind of vilain who doesn't fit in their fairytale perception of Meghan as the Diana 2.0.

- Those who see Meghan as a loose cannon unfit for the BRF.

I like the fact that the BRF is still able to surprise us with some easter eggs like this !

 

[ACO]

I am really interested in seeing how Meghan manages to walk alone with 10 little people behind her.

 

[wyevale]

behind her.

That's the KEY.. #SomebodyElsesProblem

 

[Thena]

I remember watching the film of Princess Margaret's wedding for the first time -- and being stunned that Philip walked her down the aisle! "Couldn't they get the Duke of Gloucester to do it? Or maybe a brother of the Queen Mother?" I asked myself. Now I'm just laughing over how I kept questioning a choice that was made over a decade before I was born.

 

[Ista]

That's the KEY.. #SomebodyElsesProblem

That's exactly what I was thinking.

It may be chaos behind her, but she'll just keep walking.?

 

[jacqui24]

That's the KEY.. #SomebodyElsesProblem

But if they step on her rain, it wouldn’t be somebody else’s problem.

Rhiannon Mills was reporting that they are having more rehearsals today, and that it was a little chaotic yesterday with all the children. I’m sure the parents are using a combination of bribing and stern talks at home to get their kids to behave.

 

[Ish]

I’m a little disappointed Doria’s not walking her daughter down the aisle, but I’m choosing to assume that was a decision they made together - for all I know, Doria isn’t comfortable with being that front and centre on a televised wedding.

I do kind of love that Charles is stepping up to the plate - not so that he can “give her away”, but rather so that in a way he is the person to bring her into the family. It’s great symbolism, and I hope helps debunk the myth that she isn’t fully accepted by the BRF (or, for that matter, that Harry isn’t close with his father).

 

[M. Payton]

Curious here, don't children walk in front of the bride drooping rose petals before her? That is the only way I have ever seen children in weddings.....why would they walk behind her? Children carrying small baskets of rose petals is something I have seen many times.....

 

[Kaatje]

I think it’s absolutely lovely Prince Charles will be escorting her. Ms. Markle did not create any of this drama and has not deserved the upheaval of the past few weeks. I think this is a nice way for the BRF to acknowledge that and send a clear message of support.

 

[sarahedwards2]

I remember watching the film of Princess Margaret's wedding for the first time -- and being stunned that Philip walked her down the aisle! "Couldn't they get the Duke of Gloucester to do it? Or maybe a brother of the Queen Mother?" I asked myself. Now I'm just laughing over how I kept questioning a choice that was made over a decade before I was born.

At my uncle’s wedding almost 24 years ago (during which I was the almost 4-year-old flower girl), the bride’s father had died 20 years earlier, so her brother-in-law (her sister’s husband) walked her up the aisle and gave her away. Her whole family was involved (her sister and niece were bridesmaids, her youngest nephew was the ring bearer, and her three older nephews were ushers along with my three then-teenage cousins), and my youngest uncle was his brother’s best man.

 

[wyevale]

don't children walk in front of the bride

Not in the UK.. mostly they follow, not precede the Bride.. generally sorting out the Train or just looking sweet. NO Rose petals are scattered [generally], but I suppose it sometimes happens these days..