How Princess Eugenie's Reception Dress Broke Royal Protocol
Newlywed Princess Eugenie may have taken a page out of Meghan Markle's book when it came to subtly pushing the boundaries of royal wedding tradition.
According to the Daily Mail, the princess broke royal protocol by committing a slight fashion faux pas after marrying Jack Brooksbank on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018.
As Nicki Swift previously reported, Princess Eugenie of York, 27, and Jack Brooksbank, 32, tied the knot on Friday morning at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The princess, who is ninth in line to the throne, looked stunning as she walked down the aisle while accompanied by her father, Prince Andrew. Donning a custom wedding gown designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, the bride completed her gorgeous look with emerald jewelry given to her by her groom, as well as a Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, courtesy of the Queen herself.
However, it was Princess Eugenie's second wedding dress — a light pink ensemble custom-made by American designer Zac Posen — that turned traditionalists' heads upon the newlyweds' arrival at the Royal Lodge in Windsor for their evening dinner reception.
As the Daily Mail noted, Princess Eugenie did away with two expected traditions with this glamorous silk gown by opting for a dress that was neither white nor made by a British designer. Meanwhile, both Markle and Kate Middleton notably stuck with these traditions on their own wedding days, wearing Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, respectively, to their second receptions.
However, that's not to say that the princess' reception dress didn't honor British royal tradition at all. On the contrary, according to Buckingham Palace, the "beauty of Windsor and the surrounding countryside" had inspired Posen's design, with the dress' color reflecting "the blush of an English rose."
Whether you're more of a traditionalist or you like to see the British royals bring tradition into the 21st century, it'd be difficult to deny that the glowing bride rightfully stole the show for the second time that day among even the best dressed at her wedding.
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Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank first met at a ski resort in Verbier, Switzerland in 2011, and they announced their engagement this past January. "We met when I was 20 and Jack was 24, and fell in love. We have the same passions and drive for life," the princess recently told the BBC, adding, "It's so nice that we get to share this moment with everyone, and you get to meet Jack."
And millions of people did exactly that. According to Express, roughly 3 million viewers tuned in to their royal wedding, while around 3,000 people celebrated the newly married pair's nuptials outside in Windsor. Meanwhile, a congregation of 800 guests gathered inside the chapel itself, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the princess' sister and maid of honor, Princess Beatrice. The royal affair was also attended by a number of celebs, including Demi Moore, Cara Delevingne, Naomi Campbell, Ellie Goulding, James Blunt, and Kate Moss.
It has certainly been a whirlwind week for the British royal family. Just days after celebrating Princess Eugenie and Brooksbank's marriage, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they are expecting their first child together. "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019," Kensington Palace tweeted on Monday morning, Oct. 15. The palace added, "Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public."
While multiple fans and celebs took to social media to celebrate the royal pregnancy reveal, Princess Eugenie herself was reportedly furious over the timing — as royal family members were congratulating Markle on her wedding day (via Harper's Bazaar). The expecting royal couple, who also tied the knot at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in May 2018, allegedly shared their baby news with members of the royal family just ahead of the princess' nuptials.
Meanwhile, Pippa Middleton, who is famously the younger sister of Duchess Kate Middleton, gave birth to her first child with husband James Matthews. The new parents welcomed a baby boy on Monday, Oct. 15.