This year Windsor Castle has hosted two of the most talked about weddings. Princess Eugenie married her long-time boyfriend, Jack Brooksbank last week. Their wedding took place in St. George’s chapel, where on 9 May the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Prince Harry and Meghan) had also tied the knot.
Comparisons between Eugenie and Meghan nee Markle are inevitable, despite the two events being drastically different.
Weeks before Meghan and Harry’s wedding, there was much speculation about who would walk the bride to the altar in her father’s absence. Some viewers interpreted her decision to walk herself to the entrance of the chapel as a feminist act – a symbol of women’s independence.
Although Princess Eugenie was accompanied by her father, the Duke of York, as tradition dictates, she also gave us a few surprises. While Meghan had worn an embroidered veil with flowers symbolising Commonwealth countries, Princess Eugenie choose not to wear a veil at all. This made her the first woman in the royal family to show her face as she walked down the aisle for the first time.
Now for the best part – the dress. Designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher the Vos, Eugenie’s dress was stunning, with a neckline that folded around the shoulders. It also had a low back which exposed the scar from her scoliosis surgery. This was such a bold and empowering move: she knew everyone would be watching yet still she dared to flaunt what would once have been regarded as a physical flaw.
The dress was made from a jacquard print designed especially for Eugenie, with symbols that were personally significant, such as the York rose. It made her look like nothing short of a fairy-tale: she appeared to glide whilst walking in it.
Although Meghan’s dress was by Givenchy, many where underwhelmed not only by its simplicity but also because it appeared to come up a bit loose on her. Some people said it simply didn’t fit! It may be that Meghan chose to keep the dress low key in order to highlight other aspects of her big day, but compared to Eugenie’s it does seem to have lacked lustre.
Both weddings had a star-studded guest list. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were lucky to have had their wedding in the early summer sun, as guests didn’t shy away from bright colours and florals. We can’t forget the stunning hand-painted Dolce & Gabanna that Lady Kitty Spencer wore, combined with an amazing headpiece by Philip Treacy; or Amal Clooney in her supremely elegant Stella McCartney dress. Looking sharp as always, the Beckhams were equally memorable: Victoria debuted a stunning dress from her own line, while David looked superbly handsome in his grey checked suit by Dior. Guests at Eugenie and Jack’s wedding were more restricted with their choice of colours, not least because it was mid-October. Still there were some memorable looks from the likes of Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne, who showed up wearing a black tuxedo complete with top hat. Bending the gender norms made her the most elegant lady of the day. Another guest who stood out from the rest was Kate Middleton with her raspberry–toned Alexander McQueen look and a Philip Treacy headpiece. The Duchess of Cambridge was back in contention with the Duchess of Sussex in the race for best dressed Royal.
For her second dress, Princess Eugenie wowed us all with a dusty pink item from Zac Posen. It made her look pure Hollywood star, although it was inspired by Windsor Castle and its surroundings. Again, Eugenie did things differently, choosing a reception dress that wasn’t white.
Each wedding was special in its own way, as every fairy tale is bound to be.
