Unless you’ve been hidden under a rock recently you will know that HRH Prince Henry Charles Albert David Windsor (that’s Prince Harry to you and me) is marrying Meghan Markle (actually Rachel Meghan – who knew?!) on Saturday 19th May.
The whole world loves a royal wedding. Curiosity about the dress reaches fever pitch and wedding suppliers brace themselves for all those requests “I want my cake/dress/bouquet exactly like that……..!”
Wedding photography is subtly different in that no one asks for their photos to be royal copies. To be fair not many people have a spare ballroom to set everything up in, but we do get to see everyone else’s fabulous efforts. But as a wedding photographer myself it got me thinking about royal weddings in general and how much – or little – the public actually get to see.
The wedding of Her Majesty The Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) & Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten took place at Westminster Abbey on 20th November 1947. She was 21 and the couple had been friends since she was 13. No social media of course in those days but the newspapers were full of speculation about the wedding. Designer Norman Hartnell (second cousin to William Hartnell of Doctor Who fame) was commissioned to make the Princess’ wedding gown. Ration coupons were used to purchase the fabric and a stunning gown of duchesse satin with embroidered star lilies and orange blossom was created. The silk tulle train measured 15ft. Everything was rather formal but Princess Elizabeth wanted the people to see her. You can’t miss the sheer joy on her face, and how about that cake!!! Heres a random fact for you: it was prepared by McVities & Price and the four tiers stood at a towering 9ft.
In contrast there are far fewer images from her mother’s wedding. The then Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon married Prince Albert, Duke of York in April 1923. Would there have been more official photographs if, at the time, everyone knew that the couple were the future King & Queen? But I do love the photograph captured as she was leaving for the church – early reportage perhaps?!
Of course who can forget the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. There were no shortage of cameras to capture that famous kiss on the balcony and everything was just a little less formal. The world was most definitely watching and I was fascinated to stumble across these reportage images, taken inside Buckingham Palace just before the official photographs.
And finally I really want to take a moment to appreciate these two images. Both official groups and both completely different. William & Catherine’s official 2011 photographs were in planning for months beforehand. There were apparently only seconds to set up and take that wonderful photograph with the bridesmaids and page boys. Photographer Hugo Bernand reportedly bribed the youngsters with sweets and jelly beans – no pressure!! I’m guessing that not so much planning went into Prince Andrew & Sarah Ferguson’s 1986 photographs, but to me it demonstrates how time – and most definitely expectations – have moved on in the crazy, busy, sometimes frustrating but always worth it world of wedding photography.
Prince Andrew & Sarah Ferguson
Prince William & Catherine Middleton