Harry and Meghan: Wedding Suggestions and Musings

[texankitcat]

Just woke up to the news that Prince Charles will accompany Meghan down the aisle! Woo hoo! ? That is awesome news and what I had hoped for.

 

[Skippy]

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.

That's not forbidden. It sounds as if you think that your "questioning" is ridiculous because it happened before you were born. I disagree with that.
It can serve a historical purpose and also supply a different view on what customs are.

 

[Stefanie]

This wedding seems to get much more attention than William' s
Wonder what he and Kate are slowly thinking.....

 

[Pranter]

LOVE this decision!!!! I was so hoping it would be Prince Charles escorting her. It is kinda neat too that she will walk the Nave with the bridal party and then Charles will escort her as she leaves the Nave, down to the alter where Harry is waiting!




LaRae

This wedding seems to get much more attention than William' s
Wonder what he and Kate are slowly thinking.....

Oh you have just forgotten...it was crazy leading up to their wedding as well.


LaRae

 

[M. Payton]

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..

Thank Wyevale, I was surprised when it was mentioned earlier that the children walked behind the bride, that to me does not make sense for how can children straighten out the train on the bride, isn't that for the bridesmaids to do...if I remember correctly in W/C's wedding, her sister carried the train into the church, not remembering where the children were.....and I think in Sweden the children also walked in front of Victoria for there were little children there also. IMHO, nothing wrong with rose petals being scattered on the floor for the bride to walk on, oh well times change and this must be one of them....guess I am way behind the times....

 

[ACO]

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.....

That is very US style but not uncommon other places. Very rare in the UK though.

 

[EloisevonLippe]

I have been reading all morning and digesting this news. Now getting a chance to post and I am ELATED.

How wonderful of Charles to step in! I suspect Doria might have been nervous and who can blame her...the attention and pressure is immense.

And the symbolism! I love that on the journey to her new life, the stalwart of her old life, her mother will be accompanying her. And as she enters the place where she will be come a Duchess, she enters alone as the independent woman she is. Charles will then greet her and welcome her to the family before she joins her future husband. It allows for such beautiful meaning in each stage of Meghan's journey tomorrow morning and I am thrilled and happy for her and Charles, who would have never gotten the chance to do this on such a scale if Meghan hadn't asked.

This also allows Doria to be relaxed and enjoy seeing her daughter be married without the inevitable nasty criticism and the nerves. Perfect decision and reasoning IMO. ?


P.S. I do understand the people who are concerned her mother is not doing it but I am certain Meghan would have had a discussion with her mum an not just excluded her. Doria, being a private woman unused to this must have been incredibly nervous and so I'm sure she is also very happy her daughter has chosen to do things this way.

 

[wbenson]

Hopefully we'll get the order of service soon, so we find out about the music, etc. I think we got it early the morning before in 2011, so it's a little late by comparison. But perhaps it had to be redone at the last minute due to Mr. Markle's indisposition.

 

[ACO]

https://twitter.com/x/status/997465468918292481

Harry, Meghan and Doria arriving to Windsor for tea!

 

[loonytick]

Thank Wyevale, I was surprised when it was mentioned earlier that the children walked behind the bride, that to me does not make sense for how can children straighten out the train on the bride, isn't that for the bridesmaids to do...if I remember correctly in W/C's wedding, her sister carried the train into the church, not remembering where the children were.....and I think in Sweden the children also walked in front of Victoria for there were little children there also. IMHO, nothing wrong with rose petals being scattered on the floor for the bride to walk on, oh well times change and this must be one of them....guess I am way behind the times....

Pippa carried the train on the entrance to the building and straightened it before the walk down the aisle began, but then she walked behind with the young attendants.

This DM article has side by side photos from Charles & Diana and William and Kate's weddings showing similar moments, including one from each taken during the walk down the aisle. In both cases the bride is followed by her retinue of children.

Royal wedding: Kate Middleton and Prince William vs Princess Diana and Prince Charles | Daily Mail Online

If you scroll down in this Express article about Queen Elizabeth's wedding, you'll see pageboys and bridesmaids followed behind her, too.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/roya...edding-anniversary-who-were-queen-bridesmaids

It's just a different tradition from the one in which little ones are "flower girls" and "ring bearers."

 

[Gawin]

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

THAT will be a treat to watch! ?

 

[evolvingdoors]

"Ms. Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St George's Chapel on her Wedding Day. The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way."

And i’m Done.
Done with this wedding and this woman - what ever ounce of like and respect I had left for her just flew out (i’m Sure it won’t be a lost for her but I can’t imagine i’m the only one). How awful and terribly selfish (imo) of her to ask the prince of Wales’s to do this.
There is nothing sweet about this.

 

[jacqui24]

And i’m Done.
Done with this wedding and this woman - what ever ounce of like and respect I had left for her just flew out (i’m Sure it won’t be a lost for her but I can’t imagine i’m the only one). How awful and terribly selfish (imo) of her to ask the prince of Wales’s to do this.
There is nothing sweet about this.

I might regret asking this later, but I am confused as to how this makes her selfish? Some might've thought her mother should do it because they are so close, but selfish to ask the PoW?

 

[Stefanie]

Why not William accompanying Meghan? (Like Philipp did with Margaret)
The divorced father-in-law accompanies his divorced daughter-in-law down the aisle- hope this isn' t a bad Omen. ...
Did Meghan ask Charles or did he offer it?

 

[ACO]

Harry and Meghan waving as they leave KP

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dde5KbhV0AI2hD_.jpg:large

 

[O-H Anglophile]

And i’m Done.
Done with this wedding and this woman - what ever ounce of like and respect I had left for her just flew out (i’m Sure it won’t be a lost for her but I can’t imagine i’m the only one). How awful and terribly selfish (imo) of her to ask the prince of Wales’s to do this.
There is nothing sweet about this.

Wow, that's harsh. What on earth is awful and selfish about this?

I think it is lovely and meaningful as described up thread by other posters.

 

[Lisbet]

I'm so gutted I didn't join the forum before! It must have been so much fun trying to guess all the details!

 

[jacqui24]

Why not William accompanying Meghan? (Like Philipp did with Margaret)
The divorced father-in-law accompanies his divorced daughter-in-law down the aisle- hope this isn' t a bad Omen. ...
Did Meghan ask Charles or did he offer it?

A soon-to-be father-in-law that's HAPPILY married to his second wife and have been committed to her for decades.

 

[Gawin]

Why not William accompanying Meghan? (Like Philipp did with Margaret)
The divorced father-in-law accompanies his divorced daughter-in-law down the aisle- hope this isn' t a bad Omen. ...
Did Meghan ask Charles or did he offer it?

In the absence of Meghan's father perhaps she sees Charles as the perfect substitute father. He'll be her father-in-law, after all, while William will be a brother-in-law.

 

[Mbruno]

And i’m Done.
Done with this wedding and this woman - what ever ounce of like and respect I had left for her just flew out (i’m Sure it won’t be a lost for her but I can’t imagine i’m the only one). How awful and terribly selfish (imo) of her to ask the prince of Wales’s to do this.
There is nothing sweet about this.

To be fair, it is becoming clearer now that she is mostly walking alone. The PoW's role will be fairly limited, especially if he is indeed not giving her away before the actual wedding vows.

It is pure speculation why Doria didn't do it. Maybe she didn't feel comfortable enough (very likely IMHO), or maybe the courtiers felt the PoW would a more suitable choice. There is no point in looking for a plausible explanation when we are not privy to the actual facts.

As I see it, Meghan is making a point that she is an independent woman who is marrying on her own free will and doesn't need to be given away. The Church would have to adjust the liturgy in the service to reflect that as the question on "who brings this woman etc..." will probably be omitted. That will be interesting to see, if it really happens.

 

[Curryong]

I'm sure that Meghan wouldn't have gone bouncing up to Prince Charles and said 'You don't mind walking me up the aisle do ya?' She would at the very least have been consulting with Harry (who knows his father well) and Doria before asking Charles anything. How do we know he wasn't secretly dying to be asked after he knew about Tom Snr's predicament but didn't want to impose?

 

[jacqui24]

Nacho Figueras speaks to GMA about the couple.

https://twitter.com/x/status/997451667372032000

 

[O-H Anglophile]

Why not William accompanying Meghan? (Like Philipp did with Margaret)
The divorced father-in-law accompanies his divorced daughter-in-law down the aisle- hope this isn' t a bad Omen. ...
Did Meghan ask Charles or did he offer it?

I think because William is Harry's best man and so has another responsibility in the wedding.
Philip was Margaret's brother-in-law, so a stand in for her deceased father.

Bad omen?

 

[Curryong]

I'm so gutted I didn't join the forum before! It must have been so much fun trying to guess all the details!

Yes, you've missed out on a lot of fun speculating. There's always tomorrow though!

 

[JuliannaVictoria]

I still don't get how this is selfish of Meghan. I may understand some people's opposition, and even share in similar concerns, however, there was nothing selfish about this act.

Her mother was never going to be walking her down the aisle. I am a firm believer that was one of the many rumours floating around. After dad 'pulled' out, her mom is probably still highly uncomfortable with the exposure. Charles makes perfect sense to me. Although I too would have loved it Doria did it, you can't ask this of a very private person in front of hundreds of people she doesn't know and the millions around the world.

 

[Skippy]

I think because William is Harry's best man and so has another responsibility in the wedding.
Philip was Margaret's brother-in-law, so a stand in for her deceased father.

Bad omen?

Bad omen as in that this might lead to a third divorce. The divorced Charles accompanies the divorced Meghan to Harry. You get the picture.

Not even 50 years ago this would have been strictly impossible. How times have changed.

 

[princess gertrude]

I am glad that the Prince of Wales is escorting Meghan. What better person, used to enormous crowds, knows the church well and has a wardrobe full of suits at the ready. This decision just makes sense to me. Also, I am a little sentimental since Charles doesn't have a daughter that he could escort. And I'm sure the decision also puts Harry's mind at ease knowing that his father will be there for his future wife. Not selfish in the least, I think it's a level headed call on their part.

 

[Ista]

One of the royal reporters mentioned that Charles had waited to be asked by Meghan, since he had not wanted to insert himself into the decision. Very sensitive of him, and a good example of exactly why he is the perfect choice for this duty.

I have been at Episcopal weddings where the wording was changed to "Who presents this woman..?" which avoids the implication that the woman is chattel, and might be an option in this service. I'm sure the Archbishop et. al. are already on it.

 

[Pranter]

And i’m Done.
Done with this wedding and this woman - what ever ounce of like and respect I had left for her just flew out (i’m Sure it won’t be a lost for her but I can’t imagine i’m the only one). How awful and terribly selfish (imo) of her to ask the prince of Wales’s to do this.
There is nothing sweet about this.

It's her choice, she asked him. That is all that matters.


LaRae

 

[W.Y.CII]

So after "shameful", "make no sense" now we got "awful" and "terribly selfish".