In a surprising twist of royal dynamics, Pippa Middleton’s wedding to James Matthews in 2017 was marked by an unexpected snub aimed at Meghan Markle.
As the couple prepared for their nuptials, concerns from Pippa’s mother, Carole Middleton, loomed large over the guest list.
With the royal family already in the spotlight, the decision to exclude Meghan, who was then Prince Harry’s girlfriend, became a point of contention.
Pippa’s wedding, held on May 20, 2017, featured adorable appearances from the young royals.
Princess Charlotte dazzled as a bridesmaid, while Prince George took on the role of pageboy.
The presence of Prince William and Kate Middleton was a given, but what about Meghan?
Her recent relationship with Harry had just been made public, igniting curiosity among royal watchers about her potential attendance.
According to the book “Finding Freedom” by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, Meghan had every intention of attending the wedding.
She even purchased a stunning new dress and a stylish bonnet for the occasion.
However, as discussions unfolded, it became clear that her attendance was not in the cards.
The Middleton family’s apprehension centered around the fear that Meghan’s presence might steal the spotlight from the bride.
Adding fuel to the fire was a scandalous headline that compared the underwear choices of both women, which surfaced on the morning of the wedding.
This crude coverage reportedly served as the final straw for Harry and Meghan.
Concerned about the media frenzy that would undoubtedly follow, they ultimately decided it was best for Meghan to stay away from the church, which was only a short distance from a designated media pen.
Despite their best efforts to maintain privacy, Harry and Meghan were acutely aware that their presence would likely trigger a media circus.
On the wedding day, instead of arriving together, Harry dropped Meghan off at a friend’s Airbnb.
While he attended the ceremony, she prepared for the reception, waiting for him to return from a private lunch.
The evening festivities, meant to be a joyous occasion, turned out to be less than ideal for Meghan.
According to Scobie and Durand, seating arrangements dictated by Pippa meant that the couple was separated during the reception.
Instead of enjoying a romantic evening together, they found themselves apart due to Pippa’s wishes.
Fast forward to today, and Pippa and James are now proud parents of three little ones.
Their family includes Rose, who will soon celebrate her second birthday, Grace, aged three, and five-year-old Arthur.
Life has certainly changed since that fateful wedding day, but the memories of the drama surrounding Meghan’s absence linger on.
