Many eyebrows have been raised about Queen Camilla’s outfit choice for the wedding of Diana and Charles
Wedding etiquette is a minefield, and you never want to tread on the toes of the bride and groom.
However, it seems even the Royal Family and those in their circles aren’t exempt from a fashion faux-pas, according to social media users.
The wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles was an occasion to remember for many, billed as a ‘fairytale wedding’, and they pulled out all the stops. It’s believed a whopping 750 million people around the world watched their nuptials on July 29 1981, at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Many people threw street parties, and there were celebrations around the world on behalf of the couple.
It is well documented that their love story was not a happy one, and much was made about Charles and his affections for the now-Queen Consort, Camilla Parker Bowles.
Millions of people tuned in to watch the wedding of Charles and Diana (Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
In a series of interviews with Andrew Morton, Diana claimed that Charles had given Camilla a bracelet days before the wedding.
“Someone in his office told me that my husband has had a bracelet made for her. I walked into this man’s office one day and I said, ‘Ooh, what’s in that parcel?’ And he said, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t look at that’.’”
“So I opened it and there was the bracelet,” she added, before alleging it had the intials F and G on, taken from Charles and Camilla’s nicknames for each other.
Princess Diana allegedly wanted to call off the wedding after the discovery, but was talked out of it. Camilla was also rumoured to have given Charles cufflinks with two Cs, and he supposedly wore them on his honeymoon with Diana.
Diana also recalled to Andrew Morton about walking down the aisle and spotting Camilla: ”So walking down the aisle, I spotted Camilla, pale grey, veiled pillbox hat.”
However, many have mistaken Camilla’s outfit for white as the years have gone by.
One royal fan wrote: “I stumbled upon people talking about how Camilla wore white to this wedding… In Britain, wearing white to a wedding is a big no no. You just don’t do it. Guests will shy away from anything similar to white as well. White, ivory, cream is reserved for the bride only.
“So is the etiquette different for royal weddings or aristocratic weddings? Because this just puzzles me as I had thought royal weddings would be even more strict about etiquette than most weddings.”
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Many Royal fans have believed Camilla was wearing white to the wedding (Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
According to Hitched editor and wedding expert Zoe Burke, it is still a faux pas at royal weddings, but she argued that Camilla’s outfit was mostly grey, not white.
“Whilst Camilla had some white in her attire, she did offset it in a sombre-toned suit with a matching hat (the famous pillbox hat derided by Diana in the most recent series of The Crown – I never realised ‘pillbox’ could be said in such a scathing manner!)”, Burke explained.
“But some may also argue her dark clothing was too sober and funeral-like for a wedding. Going off the dress code and wearing colours that are traditionally frowned upon, such as white or black when not requested by the couple, is seen as a form of protest.
“But if the love of your life, who you were not permitted to marry, invited you to their wedding to someone else, you may well be tempted to stage a quiet rebellion.”
Many royal fans later noticed that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II later opted to wear white to the wedding of Charles and Camilla, while Camilla wore pale blue.
The pair were married at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday, 29 July 1981, when Diana was aged 20 and Charles was 32.
During the televised ceremony – which 750 million people in 74 countries tuned in to watch – Diana put her own spin on her wedding vows, opting not to use the word ‘obey’.
Instead, she said during the widely-watched ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral that she would ‘love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health’.
The New York Times reported that Charles and Diana held some ‘very serious’ discussions about including the word.
But it wasn’t the only change to their vows that Diana made.
The pair were married on 29 July 1981 (Anwar Hussein/WireImage)
Albeit likely to be accidental due to the nerves of the day, Diana actually said Charles’ name incorrectly at the altar.
In Sally Beddell Smith’s book, Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life, Smith explained that Diana referred to Charles as ‘Philip Charles Arthur George’, rather than ‘Charles Philip’.
The BBC also reported the error at the time, explaining: “Wedding day nerves were apparent during the ceremony. Diana mixed up the Prince’s names, calling him Philip Charles Arthur George, rather than Charles Philip.”
Meanwhile, Charles also made his own blunder, saying ‘thy goods’ instead of ‘my worldly goods’.
Diana said the wrong name at the altar (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Recently, we told you how an unearthed letter written by Diana two days after her wedding revealed how she felt about the day.
PEOPLE obtained the letter – which is now live via Julien’s Auctions – on 30 May, and shared that it was sent from Diana to Mark Simpson, a footman at Buckingham Palace.
It was dated just two days after her wedding on July 31, where she wrote of how he had comforted her during her stay at Buckingham Palace.
She wrote to him: “I just wanted to thank you for all your kindness + patience you’ve showed towards me since I moved into B.P. My stay was made so much easier by your company as it was so terribly lonely + we had so many laughs for that I can’t thank you enough.”
The pair divorced in August 1996 (Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
There were many rumours that Diana was isolated during her time in the palace, with her own interviews claiming that she was depressed, and received no support from the royal family.
She added in her writings: “Do hope you were able to enjoy Wednesday + that you liked my dress? I’m off to Britainia tomorrow, what with all those men around. I will have to keep a watchful eye on Evelyn!”
Charles and Diana would have been married 44 years today.
They divorced in August 1996, two years before Diana’s tragic death in Paris at the age of 36.
Happy birthday Queen Camilla! The royal turns 78 today – and her husband King Charles III has really gone all out when it comes to her gift.
The British monarch, 76, and Queen Consort have been married for twenty years and they celebrated the exciting milestone in April with a lavish state trip to Italy.
And now, as they celebrate another of Camilla’s birthdays together, it appears that Charles has gifted her something that money can’t buy. He also bestowed the special present upon her one day early, according to a press release from the royal navy.
So what is it? Well, it’s something that’s not tangible rather than an actual physical gift and it also means she’s made history.
Under The King’s appointment, his wife was given the title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom, following her recent visit to a rainy Devonport Naval Base.
Happy birthday Queen Camilla! (Chris Jackson/Getty Image)
Camilla is the first woman ever to hold this role, marking a very important moment in history for the British monarchy. She is also only the second member of the Royal Family to hold the title.
The title can only be appointed by the sovereign on the nomination of the First Sea Lord, which is currently Sir Gwyn Jenkins.
It was first awarded by Henry VIII, and was most recently held by Admiral The Lord Boyce.
Her new role will ‘’further enhance Her Majesty’s relationship with the Service,’ Jenkins explained.
In a statement, the navy boss said: “We are honoured to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to HM Naval Base Devonport. Her Majesty’s visit has been a tremendous boost to morale, and the honorary appointment reflects the high regard in which Her Majesty is held by all of us.”
The Queen has been bestowed the title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom (The Royal Navy)
Camilla received a burgee (pennant) from the head of the Submarine Service, Rear Admiral Andy Perks, to mark the historic appointment, made specially in gratitude for her wide-ranging support for the Naval Service.
During the trip, the Queen spent roughly 90 minutes in the naval base, firstly by the waterside for a ceremony celebrating the end of the first chapter of HMS Astute’s career.
She chatted with crew and their families about the impact submarine patrols have both on those who serve and on their loved ones left behind.
Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Will Dobson said: ‘We have done multiple operations around the world, so today means everything – that bit of recognition, not for us, but for our families.”
He added: “Our families have a much harder time when we are away than we do. We are doing what we love, what we signed up to do.
She met and chatted with crew on the special day (The Royal Navy)
“So for them to meet The Queen and be recognised, it’s really special.
“People do not often get to see or hear about what we do, so its good promotion for the Submarine Service in general.”
Chief Petty Officer Stuart ‘Splash’ Ashdown added: “It’s nice to come full circle – and meet the Queen again.
“She is constantly in touch, sending letters, Christmas cards and the like when we’re away.
“For the crew, today is an important event. Every member of HMS Astute’s crew has put a lot of work in over the past 15 years, but the current crew especially, to keep her at sea and provide an operational platform.
Royal fans are just learning why the King and Queen use the letter ‘R’ when signing something off, as the old tradition was used on their most recent post.
While you would be forgiven for thinking the random letter ‘R’ used after the King and Queen’s names stands for ‘royal’, fans are only just working out what it actually stands for.
In their most recent post, King Charles and Queen Camilla shared that they are spending their twentieth wedding anniversary in Italy, more specifically Rome and Ravenna.
Taking to social media to share the update, the royals wrote: “As we begin our first visit to Italy as King and Queen, we are so looking forward to celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary in such a special place – and with such wonderful people! A presto, Roma e Ravenna! Charles R & Camilla R.”
The couple are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary (Chris Jackson/Getty Images For Clarence House)
But many people in the comments were confused by the random letter at the end of their names.
It turns out the ‘R’ stands for ‘Rex and Regina’ – Regina translates to Queen in Latin, and Rex translates to King.
“R is for Rex?” one person questioned in the comments.
While another wrote: “Rex and Regina. Well spotted!”
The tradition of using this initial can be dated back through centuries of the British monarchy.
Speaking to Harpers Bazaar, historian Marlene Koenig said: “It designates the authority of the sovereign.
“You will find the use of ‘R’ as far back as Henry I [who ruled in the early 12th century].”
The letter ‘R’ stands for ‘Rex and Regina’ (The Palace/Chris Jackson)
He added: “It is how they sign all official documents, as well as formal letters, etc.”
Like Camilla, who is technically the Queen Consort, spouses of the sovereign have also used the initial to indicate their position.
But Queen Elizabeth’s late husband, Prince Philip, decided against using the letter ‘R’.
He ditched the tradition completely, and opted for something even more casual – signing his name as simply just ‘Philip’.
But it isn’t the only tradition that royal fans have been working out in recent years.
It’s been made known that the institution isn’t allowed to eat shellfish, and that the royal ladies must wear tights on certain occasions.
Other traditions include heirs traveling separately when flying for safety, and also carrying with them a black mourning outfit in their suitcase, just incase a member of the family dies.
Earlier this week, Charles and Camilla flew out to Italy for a four-day state visit to Rome.
The royals have been enjoying a number of different events, including a red-carpet welcome by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace, and a trip to the Colosseum.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Charles is set to visit the Palazzo Madama where he will speak before a joint session of Parliament.
And in the evening, the pair will also attend a glamorous state banquet hosted by President Mattarella, marking the King’s 17th visit to the country.
Charles met with President Mattarella (VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
While posing with President Matarella and his daughter, Laura, on Tuesday (9 April), Charles could be seen making a sweet comment, as he showed his gratitude to photographers.
According to lipreader Jeremy Freeman, Charles said: “Grazie per tutto,” which translates to ‘thank you for everything’.
Charles and Camilla’s trip to Italy comes just weeks after the King required brief hospital observation, while suffering from side effects of his cancer treatment.
At the time, the palace said in a statement: “Following scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer this morning, the King experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital.”
The pair have been on a state visit to Rome (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February 2024 and returned to public-facing duties in April, while still undergoing weekly treatment.
The palace confirmed at the time that he had been undergoing a hospital procedure for a ‘prostate enlargement’ when a ‘separate issue of concern’ was found.
Wednesday (9 April) marks Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary, after the pair tied the knot back in 2005.
At the time, second weddings had only recently been recognised by the Church of England.
And while the late Queen and Prince Philip did not attend Charles and Camilla’s civil ceremony – which took place at Windsor Guildhall – they did attend the Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George’s Chapel.
The pair married in April 2005 (Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage)
Meanwhile, they also held a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle.
During the celebrations, the Queen reportedly gave a touching speech.
Referring to Aintree Racecourse at the Grand National, she apparently said: “They have overcome Becher’s Brook and the Chair and all kinds of other terrible obstacles.
“They have come through and I’m very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves.”
