13 June 2024 , 15:13
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It's been 19 years since King Charles and Queen Camilla tied the knot. The royal couple exchanged vows in a civil ceremony near Windsor Castle before attending a Service of Prayer and Dedication at St. George's Chapel afterwards.
And it was at the latter that the Queen revealed she had given her future daughter-in-law a very specific warning.
Charles and Camilla's actual wedding ceremony was intimate with only 28 guests, including the King's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and Camilla's children from her marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes.
Since both the bride and groom had been married before, the Queen decided not to attend; as head of the Church of England, she felt it was not appropriate for her to be there.
An official photo to celebrate Charles and Camilla's wedding on 9 April 2005 (Corbis via Getty Images)But both she and her husband, Prince Philip, showed their support for the couple by attending the Service of Prayer and Dedication and by hosting a reception for the couple in Windsor Castle afterwards.
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Camilla wore two wedding outfits on the day. For the civil ceremony, the now-Queen wore a cream silk chiffon dress and a matching silk coat by designer Anna Valentine, complete with Philip Treacy cream hat.
For the blessing, however, the royal opted for a more unique gown. The design, by Robinson Valentine, was an embroidered pale blue and gold coat over a matching chiffon gown. Camilla also wore a striking gold leaf feathers headband with Swarovski diamonds by Philip Treacy, in the place of a tiara - and it caused some problems on the day.
Camilla struggled in the wind with her striking gold leaf feathers headband - something the Queen noticedAs the newlyweds were pictured together on the steps of St George's Chapel afterwards, Camilla could be seen struggling with her headpiece as the wind swept around her.
And the Queen, standing behind them, couldn't help but notice her difficulties. According to the Daily Mail, the monarch reportedly turned to her son and remarked: "I did warn her, wearing feathers."
Former royal butler Grant Harrold later spoke about Charles and Camilla's wedding - and shared how the late Queen helped celebrate her son's special day.
Grant worked within Charles' household for seven years between 2004 and 2011, and was a guest at the ceremony in Windsor on April 9, 2005.
Speaking to Guides for Brides, he revealed that the late monarch actually organised important wedding details on the day, from the flowers, to Charles and Camilla's wedding rings. And she even gave a comical speech at the newlywed couple's reception.
The late Queen played an instrumental role when it came to organising wedding details on the day (Tim Graham/Getty Images)Grant said: "'The biggest misconception about the wedding is that the Queen didn't enjoy it or wasn't supportive, it's complete nonsense. There was talk about whether she would attend the service but her appearance at the reception was a joyful one.
"Her attendance and speech would have been seen as an olive branch to Charles and Camilla - her blessing of the marriage. The royals don't do things lightly and she would have not attended if she hadn't been happy to.
"I remember walking to St George's Hall for the reception, where they had drinks. The Queen had not attended the actual service but she gave a speech at the reception, which was seen as a big sign of her approval to the marriage.
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"The Queen was amazing at the wedding, she gave a very funny speech, she was really happy as was Prince Philip. I can't remember her exact words but she was funny. She compared their relationship to a Grand National horse race. She was a great comedian and had a way with words."