Why Prince Harry and Meghan’s actions at Princess Eugenie’s wedding left the bride and Sarah Ferguson ‘furious’
It’s a rare occasion for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s two daughters to find themselves in the spotlight.
But seven years ago today, on Princess Eugenie’s wedding day, all eyes were on the 12th in line to the throne as she said “I do” to marketing executive Jack Brooksbank.
The royal wedding was also the famous event of October 2018; Senior members of the family were joined by singer Ellie Goulding, comedian Stephen Fry and actress Demi Moore.
Although three million Britons watched the ceremony live, the news that Prince Harry and Meghan were expecting their first child overshadowed the big day.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who attended the ceremony, shared the news with Prince Charles, Prince William and the late Queen Elizabeth II. He chose to share it with members of the Firm, including Elizabeth.
But according to journalists Dylan Howard and Andy Tillett, there were at least two houseguests who were less than happy with the timing of Sussex’s announcement.
Writing in their book Royals at War: The Untold Story of Harry And Meghan’s Shocking Split With The House of Windsor, Eugenie and her mother Sarah Ferguson were particularly unhappy with the timing and were said to be “furious”.
‘Meghan took the plunge when she decided this was the ideal moment to announce that she and Harry were expecting their first child.
Sarah Ferguson at her daughter’s wedding. Duchess of York reportedly left ‘furious’ after Harry and Meghan stole Eugenie’s thunder
Princess Eugenie arrives at St George’s Chapel on her wedding day. All eyes were on the 12th in line to the throne as marketing executive Jack Brooksbank said ‘I do’
Meghan is coming to Princess Eugenie’s wedding. The Duchess of Sussex had just found out she was pregnant with her first child
‘This was a huge social blunder; Even if you’re not a Royal stealing the limelight from Eugenie, who’s as angry as her mother Sarah.’
Writing in his memoir Spare, Harry said Eugenie’s big day gave the Sussexes ‘the chance to pull family members aside one by one and tell them our good news’.
They told King Charles this while Eugenie and Jack were in his study, shortly before the drinks reception at Windsor.
Harry wrote that Charles was ‘very happy when he found out he was going to be a grandfather for the fourth time.’
The Duke and Duchess also updated Prince William following the drinks reception, after which Princess Kate congratulated them.
The Daily Mail reported at the time that the Queen and Prince Philip were told in person at their wedding celebrations.
“Many wondered why Meghan chose to foreshadow the bride on her big day,” Tom Bower wrote in his book Revenge: The War Between Meghan, Harry, and the Windsors.
However, the official announcement of the pregnancy would be made three days after the wedding on October 15.
Prince Harry and Meghan speak to the Queen outside the chapel. During the celebrations he was told about the duchess’s pregnancy.
Eugenie and Jack kiss outside the chapel. The couple now have two young sons and live at Ivy Cottage
The statement made by the couple included the following statements: ‘Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are delighted to announce that the Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in Spring 2019.
‘Their Royal Highnesses appreciate all 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.’
However, before the official announcement, there was speculation that a possible pregnancy had begun. The Daily Mail reported that Meghan wore a large Givenchy coat to the ceremony, and her husband was seen repeatedly rubbing her lower back.
Despite the royal baby news, Eugenie and Jack’s wedding was still a joyful affair.
The couple wed at St George’s Chapel just a few months after Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sang two songs inside the chapel.
The Queen then hosted a reception at Windsor Castle, followed by a black-tie reception at the Royal Lodge, Prince Andrew’s official residence.
The groom gave a touching speech for his new wife, saying how he was ‘filled with devotion’ to Eugenie, who ‘brightened his life and made him feel complete’.
Eugenie and Jack now have two young sons, August and Ernest, and divide their time between their home at Ivy Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace and Portugal, where Jack is head of sales for the exclusive Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club development.
