Princess Eugenie made a stylish appearance at the Duke of Westminster's high-society wedding, subtly referencing Meghan Markle's absence with a clever fashion choice.
Eugenie donned a white fascinator and a stunning green dress, reminiscent of Meghan Markle's signature style. Her outfit at the wedding of Olivia Henson and the Duke of Westminster seemed to pay homage to one of Meghan Markle's iconic ensembles, down to the choice of footwear, as Eugenie wore Aquazzura pumps similar to those Meghan has worn on previous occasions.
This playful nod to her cousin Harry's wife, who was notably absent because she wasn’t invited, highlighted Eugenie's awareness of Meghan's influence.
The wedding of Hugh Grosvenor to Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral brought the ongoing drama between Prince William and Prince Harry back into the spotlight. Royal experts noted that William took center stage over his estranged brother, even playing the role of usher. According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, it was expected that William would be the main figure at the wedding.
Prince Harry had decided not to attend after discussing the situation with Hugh, agreeing to step aside. The Duke of Westminster, godfather to both Prince William's son George and Prince Harry's son Archie, reportedly reached a civilized understanding with Harry, clearing the way for William's participation as an usher.
Additionally, Meghan's reluctance to attend a high-profile society event where she might face criticism contributed to her absence. The wedding, dubbed the society wedding of the year, was attended by 400 guests, including Prince William. However, the King's absence due to ongoing cancer treatment and his busy schedule with the D-Day celebrations was also noted.
Royal commentator Michael Cole suggested that Harry's absence indicates the ongoing feud between the brothers, remarking that they can't be in the same room without embarrassment. Cole imagined the spectacle of William showing Harry to his seat, predicting that Harry and Meghan would send their well-wishes from Montecito. He called Harry's decision a diplomatic solution to a family problem.
Host Nana Akua expressed sadness over the situation, saying, "It's unfortunate. Can't they just grow up and move on?" Ingrid Seward added that the deep rift between William and Harry shows no signs of healing, reflecting their troubled relationship. In the past, this would have been fodder for sibling banter, but today it's headline news. Seward noted, "It's a great shame it has come to this. They won't be reconciling anytime soon."
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams chimed in, stating that Harry's no-show was inevitable. He noted that Harry and Meghan don't attend comparable events in California and suggested Harry would surely feel genuine regret, given his enduring friendship with Hugh Grosvenor. Fitzwilliams highlighted that William's presence likely made Harry feel he couldn't attend the ceremony. This, he said, is a sad sign of the rift between the brothers. He concluded that the extraordinary briefings during Harry's last visit to Britain for the Invictus Service at St. Paul's, combined with questions about security and his father's availability, show that the divide within the royal family couldn't be wider.
