Royal Wedding Mishaps The Palace Wants The World To Forget

Factable

Royal Wedding Mishaps The Palace Wants The World To Forget

Kelsey Berish

Posted: April 22, 2024 | Last updated: April 22, 2024

<p>Aside from the bride or groom pulling a <i>Runaway Bride </i>moment, there is arguably nothing worse than one of them calling the other by the wrong name during their vows. Well, that's exactly what happened to Princess Diana. </p> <p>With over 700 million people around the world watching, <a href="https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainment/people/princess-diana-prince-charles-wedding-mistake-500552" rel="noopener noreferrer">she accidentally said</a>, "I take thee, Philip Charles Arthur George..." His actual name is Charles Philip Arthur George. </p>

Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images

Royal Wedding Mishaps The Palace Wants The World To Forget

From wardrobe malfunctions to unexpected guests, these royal weddings had more than their fair share of strange and shocking moments.

Read on to discover some of the most surprising royal wedding mishaps and leave a comment with any that we might have missed! Even Princess Diana wasn't immune...

<p>The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has pretty much always aired royal weddings. It's a custom the public is used to, watching the royal wedding and drooling over the gorgeous gowns and traditions of the royals. </p> <p>But everything changed when Princess Eugenie wed Jack Brooksbank in 2018. The network opted to pass on airing the big day! They didn't think enough of the public would tune in to watch the wedding. It was a huge shock, and the palace wasn't pleased.</p>

Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images

BBC Didn't Air Princess Eugenie's Wedding

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has pretty much always aired royal weddings. It's a custom the public is used to, watching the royal wedding and drooling over the gorgeous gowns and traditions of the royals.

But everything changed when Princess Eugenie wed Jack Brooksbank in 2018. The network opted to pass on airing the big day! They didn't think enough of the public would tune in to watch the wedding. It was a huge shock, and the palace wasn't pleased.

<p>For some brides, their wedding day can be a bit nerve-wracking. In the case of Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, she was so nervous during the big day that she wound up vomiting down her wedding dress as well as on the skirt of her new mother-in-law!</p> <p>Augusta of Saxe-Gotha was a young 17 years old when she arrived in England from Gotha, Germany, to marry Frederick, Prince of Wales. That's a day she probably never forgot.</p>

Wikimedia Commons

Augusta Of Saxe-Gotha's Wedding Day Jitters Got The Best Of Her

For some brides, their wedding day can be a bit nerve-wracking. In the case of Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, she was so nervous during the big day that she wound up vomiting down her wedding dress as well as on the skirt of her new mother-in-law!

Augusta of Saxe-Gotha was a young 17 years old when she arrived in England from Gotha, Germany, to marry Frederick, Prince of Wales. That's a day she probably never forgot.

<p>A honeymoon is supposed to be a romantic time between newlyweds. They're not supposed to have one care in the world, leaving work and other responsibilities, like pets, behind. Well, unless one of the newlyweds happens to be Queen Elizabeth.</p> <p>According to the royal family's website, <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1283265/Royal-news-royal-wedding-disaster-queen-Elizabeth-ii-prince-philip" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Queen and Prince</a> "traveled by train to Hampshire, departing from Waterloo Station. Princess Elizabeth's Corgi, Susan, came with them." That must have been one unforgettable, puppy-filled honeymoon!</p>

Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Queen Needed Her Corgis By Her Side On Her Honeymoon

A honeymoon is supposed to be a romantic time between newlyweds. They're not supposed to have one care in the world, leaving work and other responsibilities, like pets, behind. Well, unless one of the newlyweds happens to be Queen Elizabeth.

According to the royal family's website, the Queen and Prince "traveled by train to Hampshire, departing from Waterloo Station. Princess Elizabeth's Corgi, Susan, came with them." That must have been one unforgettable, puppy-filled honeymoon!

<p>In a shocking display, Louis XVI decided he didn't need to show up at his own wedding to 14-year-old Marie Antoinette! <a href="https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/unforgettable-royal-wedding-scandals-shockers-165000707" rel="noopener noreferrer">According to <i>History</i></a>, "[the wedding] took place by proxy in the bride's native Vienna; her older brother Ferdinand stood in as the groom at the altar."</p> <p>"In what was seen as a bad omen at the time, his wife let a large blot of ink fall onto the marriage contract, covering half her name." </p>

The Print Collector/Getty Images

Louis XVI Played Hooky On His Own Wedding Day

In a shocking display, Louis XVI decided he didn't need to show up at his own wedding to 14-year-old Marie Antoinette! According to History, "[the wedding] took place by proxy in the bride's native Vienna; her older brother Ferdinand stood in as the groom at the altar."

"In what was seen as a bad omen at the time, his wife let a large blot of ink fall onto the marriage contract, covering half her name."

<p>If the royal family is one thing, it's that they are very traditional. That means a father or, at the very least, a father figure walking the bride down the aisle. Unfortunately, two days before the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the American actress released a statement saying her father was not going to be in attendance.</p> <p>It was a shocking moment for the royal family and the world as Meghan walked herself down the aisle.</p>

DANNY LAWSON/AFP via Getty Images

Meghan Markle Walked Solo Down The Aisle

If the royal family is one thing, it's that they are very traditional. That means a father or, at the very least, a father figure walking the bride down the aisle. Unfortunately, two days before the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the American actress released a statement saying her father was not going to be in attendance.

It was a shocking moment for the royal family and the world as Meghan walked herself down the aisle.

<p>George IV had quite a married life. First, his father, King George III, wouldn't aid in his son's debts unless he agreed to marry his cousin, Princess Caroline of Brunswick. The two pretty much hated one another.</p> <p>The scandalous part is that while he was married, George IV illegally married Maria Fitzherbert. Their marriage was never recognized by the church or state, though, as Maria was a Roman Catholic. Gasp.</p>

Photo by: Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Multiple Marriages

George IV had quite a married life. First, his father, King George III, wouldn't aid in his son's debts unless he agreed to marry his cousin, Princess Caroline of Brunswick. The two pretty much hated one another.

The scandalous part is that while he was married, George IV illegally married Maria Fitzherbert. Their marriage was never recognized by the church or state, though, as Maria was a Roman Catholic. Gasp.

<p>Prince Ernst-August V made a shocking decision regarding his son Prince Ernst-August Jr.'s marriage in 2016. Not approving his son's choice of a non-royal wife, Ekaterina Malysheva, the elder Ernst-August, decided not to attend the wedding, as there was a dispute over which castle they'd be obtaining after marriage.</p> <p><a href="https://people.com/royals/prince-ernst-august-publicly-opposes-sons-marriage/" rel="noopener noreferrer">During an interview with <i>People</i></a>, he said, "I am constrained to preserve the interests of the House of Hanover and the property, including cultural property, which has been its property for centuries." </p>

Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images

Prince Ernst-August V Choosing Land Over His Son

Prince Ernst-August V made a shocking decision regarding his son Prince Ernst-August Jr.'s marriage in 2016. Not approving his son's choice of a non-royal wife, Ekaterina Malysheva, the elder Ernst-August, decided not to attend the wedding, as there was a dispute over which castle they'd be obtaining after marriage.

During an interview with People, he said, "I am constrained to preserve the interests of the House of Hanover and the property, including cultural property, which has been its property for centuries."

<p>Around 600 people piled into St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot. And while that's a lot of people, primarily all of them were friends of the couple and family of Prince Harry.</p> <p>Meghan's side of the family decided not to show up for her big day. Well, one person did. Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland. It was very surprising to the people of Britain and the Commonwealth that the future Duchess didn't have more family members in her corner.</p>

Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Only Mother At Wedding

Around 600 people piled into St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle to watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot. And while that's a lot of people, primarily all of them were friends of the couple and family of Prince Harry.

Meghan's side of the family decided not to show up for her big day. Well, one person did. Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland. It was very surprising to the people of Britain and the Commonwealth that the future Duchess didn't have more family members in her corner.

<p>From wardrobe malfunctions to unexpected guests, these royal weddings had more than their fair share of strange and shocking moments. Keep reading to discover some of the most jaw-dropping royal wedding mishaps!</p>

Photo by Georges De Keerle/Getty Images

The Queen Skipping Prince Charles's Wedding To Camilla

During King Charles and Queen Camilla's 2005 wedding, one royal family member was notably absent -- the head royal herself, Queen Elizabeth. While she attended The Guildhall for the Service of Prayer and Dedication, her majesty didn't make it to her son's civil ceremony.

Apparently, Queen Elizabeth didn't think attending a civil ceremony upheld the Church of England's values. So, in a shocking display of civic duty over family, she skipped it.

<p>Arguably nothing is more awkward for a bride than her groom inviting not one but two of his ex-girlfriends to their wedding. Insert Harry, the Prince of awkward and bizarre decisions.</p> <p>Apparently, he wanted to prove (for some reason) that he was still on good terms with his ex-girlfriends, Cressida Bonas and Chelsy Davy. So, he invited them to his and Meghan Markle's wedding! More surprising is the fact that both of them actually showed up.</p>

GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images & Ian West - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Harry's Ex-Girlfriends Attending His Wedding

Arguably nothing is more awkward for a bride than her groom inviting not one but two of his ex-girlfriends to their wedding. Insert Harry, the Prince of awkward and bizarre decisions.

Apparently, he wanted to prove (for some reason) that he was still on good terms with his ex-girlfriends, Cressida Bonas and Chelsy Davy. So, he invited them to his and Meghan Markle's wedding! More surprising is the fact that both of them actually showed up.

<p>Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau's bride-to-be wasn't exactly a match made in royal heaven. The family didn't approve of her at all. But the late prince didn't care; he married Mabel Wisse Smit anyway, giving up his right to the Dutch throne in 2004.</p> <p> Allegedly, Mabel had a casual relationship with a known Dutch gangster, Klaas Bruinsma. Mabel has said that she ended their correspondence after she learned what he did for a living. Still, the former acquaintance didn't fly with the royals.</p>

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Prince Friso Of Orange-Nassau's Gangster-Connected Bride

Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau's bride-to-be wasn't exactly a match made in royal heaven. The family didn't approve of her at all. But the late prince didn't care; he married Mabel Wisse Smit anyway, giving up his right to the Dutch throne in 2004.

Allegedly, Mabel had a casual relationship with a known Dutch gangster, Klaas Bruinsma. Mabel has said that she ended their correspondence after she learned what he did for a living. Still, the former acquaintance didn't fly with the royals.

Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images

Princess Diana Got Her Groom's Name Wrong

Aside from the bride or groom pulling a Runaway Bride moment, there is arguably nothing worse than one of them calling the other by the wrong name during their vows. Well, that's exactly what happened to Princess Diana.

With over 700 million people around the world watching, she accidentally said, via Marie Claire, "I take thee, Philip Charles Arthur George..." His actual name is Charles Philip Arthur George.

<p>In 2011, the wedding of the decade occurred between Prince William and Kate Middleton. But there was one member of the royal family that was notably not invited, the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.</p> <p>According to an interview Fergie did on <i>The Oprah Winfrey Show</i>, the non-invite was difficult because "I wanted to be there with my girls … to be getting them dressed and to go as a family."</p>

Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Fergie Not Getting An Invite To William And Kate's Wedding

In 2011, the wedding of the decade occurred between Prince William and Kate Middleton. But there was one member of the royal family that was notably not invited, the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.

According to an interview Fergie did on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the non-invite was difficult because "I wanted to be there with my girls … to be getting them dressed and to go as a family."

<p>There is nothing quite as unforgettable as a royal wedding being postponed because of a cousin outranking someone. This is exactly what happened to poor Princess Eugenie. In 2017, there were talks of her getting married. </p> <p>But because Prince Harry outranked her in the royal standing, she had to wait until he got married to walk down the aisle. Not only that, but she had to wait to announce her engagement, too!</p>

Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Princess Eugenie's Wedding Being Put On Hold

There is nothing quite as unforgettable as a royal wedding being postponed because of a cousin outranking someone. This is exactly what happened to poor Princess Eugenie. In 2017, there were talks of her getting married.

But because Prince Harry outranked her in the royal standing, she had to wait until he got married to walk down the aisle. Not only that, but she had to wait to announce her engagement, too!

<p>King Henry VIII might be known for his six marriages, but nothing was quite like his fourth. When choosing wife number four, he did nothing more than look at a painting and point at the woman he wanted to marry. No need for traditional courtship here!</p> <p>The thing is, once he saw Anne of Cleeves, King Henry VIII was taken aback because she didn't look like she didn't in the painting (shocking). Their marriage was very brief.</p>

Stock Montage/Getty Images

King Henry VIII Choosing His Fourth Wife From A Painting

King Henry VIII might be known for his six marriages, but nothing was quite like his fourth. When choosing wife number four, he did nothing more than look at a painting and point at the woman he wanted to marry. No need for traditional courtship here!

The thing is, once he saw Anne of Cleeves, King Henry VIII was taken aback because she didn't look like she didn't in the painting (shocking). Their marriage was very brief.

<p>One of the biggest royal family wedding scandals to occur was because of King Edward VIII. Only a short 324 days into his reign, he decided to abdicate the throne. His decision was because he fell in love with Wallis Simpson.</p> <p>Simpson didn't come from one of the world's royal families. Not only that, but she was an American divorcee who was going on her second divorce! She and Edward were technically having an affair before the second divorce was finalized.</p>

Mondadori via Getty Images

King Edward VIII's Scandalous Marriage To A Two-Time Divorcee

One of the biggest royal family wedding scandals to occur was because of King Edward VIII. Only a short 324 days into his reign, he decided to abdicate the throne. His decision was because he fell in love with Wallis Simpson.

Simpson didn't come from one of the world's royal families. Not only that, but she was an American divorcee who was going on her second divorce! She and Edward were technically having an affair before the second divorce was finalized.

<p>The royal family is known for having lavish and beautiful gowns, and Queen Elizabeth's was no different. Well, except for the fact that her gown was paid for with ration coupons.</p> <p>Her majesty married Prince Philip on November 20, 1947, and she, along with the rest of the country, was rationing after World War II. Many people sent in their coupons to help Queen Elizabeth pay for her dress, but she sent them all back.</p>

Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Used Rationing Coupons

The royal family is known for having lavish and beautiful gowns, and Queen Elizabeth's was no different. Well, except for the fact that her gown was paid for with ration coupons.

Her majesty married Prince Philip on November 20, 1947, and she, along with the rest of the country, was rationing after World War II. Many people sent in their coupons to help Queen Elizabeth pay for her dress, but she sent them all back.